Revealed: How trade unions are failing in Shenzhen's factories

Trade unions are invisible and ineffective in four factories in Shenzhen that have previously been recognised by the government as leaders in protecting their workers’ rights, according to undercover investigations conducted by a group of local university students.

Pay rates below minimum wage, excessive working hours, insufficient safety protection and poor working conditions were discovered in four out of five factories targeted by the students. Union membership was low and many workers were unaware the trade unions existed.

Twelve students in the southern Chinese city posed as job-seekers during their summer break and took up employment in five different factories, three of which had received national awards for their trade unions. The students recorded their personal observations and conducted in-depth interviews with the workers.

In the Gaoxin Electronics factory, work days continued into the early hours of the morning during busy periods, and staff were paid less than the minimum wage. Workers could only take leave without pay and were fined 100 yuan (HK$126) each time. Supervision was harsh, toilet breaks limited and water and soldering dust were serious safety hazards.

On top of substandard conditions and remuneration, the students discovered minimal union participation. Workers were confused about the role of trade unions. Many did not know if they were members, several did not even know there was a union available to join, according to the students’ report.

At one factory, Baitai Jewellery, none of the 33 workers surveyed knew if they were a union member, only one knew what a trade union was. At Fuqun Electronics, 30 per cent of the workers knew there was a trade union, but less than five per cent knew if they were members. None of the five factories had democratic union elections.