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Working Conditions and Worker Rights in China: Recent Developments

2012-07-31T14:30:00 - 2012-07-31T16:00:00
2200 Rayburn House Office Building

Transcript (PDF) (Text)

In recent months, several reports have been released regarding working conditions in Chinese factories that manufacture products popular in the United States—laptops, iPhones, iPads, cordless phones. These reports document excessive overtime, crowded and unsafe working and living conditions, underage workers, and unpaid wages. They note that Chinese workers do not have the right to organize into independent unions, and that the state-controlled union does little to represent them. Meanwhile, China has enacted laws in recent years intended to address worker issues, and the state-controlled union has pledged to better represent workers.

The hearing's witnesses discussed the prevalence of harsh working conditions in Chinese factories in places like Shenzhen and Shanghai, assessed implementation of China's labor laws, and examined the roles the Chinese government, China's state-controlled union, Chinese NGOs, and private companies, including multinationals, play in addressing worker rights and labor reforms. Witnesses also provided recommendations for U.S. policy on worker rights in China.

For related Commission analysis, please see "NGOs Report Harsh Conditions at Chinese Factories Making Popular Electronics."

This hearing was webcast.

Opening Statements

Representative Christopher H. Smith, Chairman

Senator Sherrod Brown, Cochairman

Witnesses

Panel 1

Mr. Charles Kernaghan, Executive Director, Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights

Mr. Li Qiang, Executive Director and Founder, China Labor Watch

Mr. Harry Wu, Founder and Executive Director, Laogai Research Foundation and Laogai Museum

 
 

Panel 2

Ms. Thea Lee, Deputy Chief of Staff, AFL-CIO

Dr. Mary Gallagher, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director, Center for Chinese Studies, University of Michigan

Mr. Earl Brown, Labor and Employment Law Counsel and China Program Director, Solidarity Center, AFL-CIO

Issues: Worker Rights