The working-class history of Sichuan Province

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Protest Against Unpaid Pension Breaks Out in Southwestern City
CND, 12 April 1997. A group of 200 angry retired workers led protests against their factory for failing to pay them pension in Yibin, Sichuan. The demonstration later grew to 4,000 people when more joined from the streets. The phosphate fertilizer factory had long since ceased production because of mismanagement, and retired workers were not receiving their pensions regularly.
Protest against repression of workers demonstrations; Fight against exploitation of workers by the corrupt government
From the Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee, et al., [28 July 1997]. Statement prepared by the Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee (HKCIC) in protest of the government's action during the workers' demonstration in July 10 at Mianyang City. The workers were protesting against corruption of government officials and the lack of proper unemployment benefits. The police dispersed, beat and arrested demonstrators.
6,000 protesting Sichuan workers blockade streets
South China Morning Post, 6 December 1997. At least 4,000 people, mostly laid-off workers now self-employed as drivers—;gathered to demand talks with the city government over the rules. Spectators and residents sympathetic to the protesting workers swelled the crowd to more than 10,000. Many similar workers protest have taken place in Sichuan, home to legions of state industries struggling under huge debts, bad management and outdated equipment.
More Chinese Workers Protests as Police Intervene
AFP, 4 April 2000. Some 500 miners protested after the Liuzhi Mine went bankrupt and some 40,000 workers were laid off. The blocked the tracks of the Guiyang-Kunming railway for hours until several hundred police were sent to clear the tracks. At least 10 similar protests have erupted on the railway line in recent months.
Chinese Workers at Military Uniform Factory Protest over Job Fears
AFP, 17 July 2000. More than 1,000 workers and retirees have spent the past seven days surrounding a uniform factory of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in silent protest over fears the unit will be shut down. The protest has continued round the clock despite company officials agreeing to meet with the demonstrators. Factory officials recently began dabbling in real estate to boost company earnings and lost much of the company's money.
Workers Shut Down Chinese Factory
AP, 25 June 2002. Hundreds of workers laid-off from a state-run military equipment plant in Chengdu shut down production there in a protest over compensation. Management last year laid off staff under a controversial system known as pay-and-cut. Workers took a lump sum payment based on years of service but subsequently demanded additional payments, saying salaries had been too low all along.