Hundreds of workers attack Chinese factory in Yangon
Some angry 300 workers destroyed machinery and held captive seven Chinese workers for a few hours over the sacking of a fellow worker. Strikes over low wages are increasing. Many in Myanmar are impatient with China’s economic “colonisation”.
Yangon (AsiaNews) – Yesterday, hundreds of employees stormed a Chinese-owned garment factory, destroying equipment and briefly detaining seven Chinese workers.
Some 300 local workers were angered over the the sacking of a fellow worker, according to local sources, but also over their salaries and the way they are treated.
The seven Chinese captives were released after a rescue effort by local police and the Chinese embassy.
The five people who appear to have led the attack were arrested. No casualties were reported.
The Chinese embassy said in a separate statement that it had lodged a formal request to the Myanmar government asking the authorities to take effective measures to ensure “the safety and interests of Chinese business and individuals”.
Yesterday's attack is the latest in a series that highlights growing local intolerance towards the Chinese.
A wave of labour strikes has hit Chinese-owned factories over the past two years, with workers demanding pay rises and shorter working hours.
Under the country’s former military dictatorship, which officially ended two years ago in elections, China was the protector of Myanmar’s ruling junta.
This enabled Beijing to expand its presence in many areas of the country’s economy, enjoying a near-monopoly over trade and resources like timber, mining, water, and oil.
The company hit by the labour action is based in China’s Zhejiang province. It set up the factory in Myanmar two years ago to take advantage of lower labour costs.
Chinese investment in Myanmar is meeting more resistance. In 2011, a US$ 3.6 billion dam project in Myitsone (northern state of Kachin) was suspended as a result of local protests.
The dam was destined to generate electricity, 90 per cent of which would go to China.
Many people in Myanmar often describe China’s presence in their country as “colonial" in nature.
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09/08/2019 16:30
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