Xiong Hanjiang, a 20-year-old migrant worker from Sichuan employed in a ceramics factory, on 1 June went with his father to collect 3,000 yuan in back pay. His employer and two other men attacked both father and son, and then had the tendons of the latter’s feet and hands severed, making him permanently disabled.

On 3 June, migrant workers gathered before the city hall of Chaozhou, demanding that the perpetrators of the crime be brought to justice. However, police beat up protesters, wounding scores of them. Xiong’s attackers were not arrested.

News of the event angered migrant workers, especially incensed by the authorities’ failure to act. Over the next few days, more protests flared up, forcing the closure of stores. Anti-riot police was sent into the streets. Finally, last Sunday, Xiong’s three attackers were arrested.

However, protests continued. On Monday, More than 200 migrant workers staged a violent protest outside a township government building in Chaozhou.

When police moved in, the protest turned into clashes as thousands of migrant workers battled with police. At least 30 cars were damaged, many protesters were arrested and an unspecified number of people were injured.

A video posted on popular web portal Sina.com appeared to show hundreds, possibly thousands, of people standing on a street in the city and a number of men hurling objects at cars and police vehicles. Migrants also clashed with residents.

After the clashes, many stores were closed and many migrants left the area to avoid retaliation from residents.

Each year, tens of thousands of labour disputes erupt in China when employers refuse to pay wages or impose unacceptable working conditions.

The authorities often fail to protect workers’ rights, whilst trade unions as organs of the Communist Party tend to favour production over workers’ needs.