China Labour Bulletin
Encyclopedia
China Labour Bulletin is a non-governmental organization
that promotes and defends workers’ rights in the People’s Republic of China. It is based in Hong Kong
and was founded in 1994 by labour activist Han Dongfang
. The CLB advocates stronger protection for the rights for Chinese workers, and has expressed optimism that their conditions will improve through peaceful and legal action.
CLB supports the development of democratic trade unions in China, the enforcement of the PRC’s labour laws, and the full participation of workers in the creation of civil society
. In addition, CLB seeks the official recognition in China of international standards and conventions providing for workers’ freedom of association
and the right to free collective bargaining
.
In 2002 CLB established a labour rights litigation programme designed to give workers the chance to seek redress for their grievances through the PRC’s court system. The organization provides legal advice for workers and arranges for mainland Chinese lawyers to handle their cases. By October 2007, it had taken on about 140 cases involving such issues as non-payment of wages, industrial injury
, and redundancy (unemployment) payments. It also addresses the problem of employment discrimination
, in particular, raising awareness of and combating discrimination against the estimated 120 million Hepatitis B positive Chinese.
In 2005, CLB set up a programme to promote collective bargaining and the use of factory-wide, legally enforceable collective labour contracts as a means of empowering workers, protecting their legal rights, and enhancing industrial relations.
CLB has published five English language and ten Chinese language research reports on a range of issues including the workers’ movement in China, migrant workers, child labour, coal mining
accidents, and the silicosis
epidemic among China’s gemstone workers.
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
that promotes and defends workers’ rights in the People’s Republic of China. It is based in Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and was founded in 1994 by labour activist Han Dongfang
Han Dongfang
Han Dongfang has been an advocate for workers' rights in China for more than two decades during which time he has won numerous international awards including the 1993 Democracy Award from the U.S...
. The CLB advocates stronger protection for the rights for Chinese workers, and has expressed optimism that their conditions will improve through peaceful and legal action.
CLB supports the development of democratic trade unions in China, the enforcement of the PRC’s labour laws, and the full participation of workers in the creation of civil society
Civil society
Civil society is composed of the totality of many voluntary social relationships, civic and social organizations, and institutions that form the basis of a functioning society, as distinct from the force-backed structures of a state , the commercial institutions of the market, and private criminal...
. In addition, CLB seeks the official recognition in China of international standards and conventions providing for workers’ freedom of association
Freedom of association
Freedom of association is the individual right to come together with other individuals and collectively express, promote, pursue and defend common interests....
and the right to free collective bargaining
Collective bargaining
Collective bargaining is a process of negotiations between employers and the representatives of a unit of employees aimed at reaching agreements that regulate working conditions...
.
In 2002 CLB established a labour rights litigation programme designed to give workers the chance to seek redress for their grievances through the PRC’s court system. The organization provides legal advice for workers and arranges for mainland Chinese lawyers to handle their cases. By October 2007, it had taken on about 140 cases involving such issues as non-payment of wages, industrial injury
Industrial injury
An occupational injury is bodily damage resulting from working.In the United States in 2007, 5,488 workers died from job injuries, 92% of which were men, and 49,000 died from work-related injuries. NIOSH estimates that 4 million workers in the U.S...
, and redundancy (unemployment) payments. It also addresses the problem of employment discrimination
Discrimination
Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category. It involves the actual behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities that are available to another group. The term began to be...
, in particular, raising awareness of and combating discrimination against the estimated 120 million Hepatitis B positive Chinese.
In 2005, CLB set up a programme to promote collective bargaining and the use of factory-wide, legally enforceable collective labour contracts as a means of empowering workers, protecting their legal rights, and enhancing industrial relations.
CLB has published five English language and ten Chinese language research reports on a range of issues including the workers’ movement in China, migrant workers, child labour, coal mining
Coal mining
The goal of coal mining is to obtain coal from the ground. Coal is valued for its energy content, and since the 1880s has been widely used to generate electricity. Steel and cement industries use coal as a fuel for extraction of iron from iron ore and for cement production. In the United States,...
accidents, and the silicosis
Silicosis
Silicosis, also known as Potter's rot, is a form of occupational lung disease caused by inhalation of crystalline silica dust, and is marked by inflammation and scarring in forms of nodular lesions in the upper lobes of the lungs...
epidemic among China’s gemstone workers.