Migrant worker jumps to his death from building he built over eight years of unpaid wages
In his 50s, he was Identified as Li. The building was built in 2008, at the time of the Olympics. Since then, Li and his work team did not receive any wages. According to official figures, about 3 million migrant workers do not receive wages on a regular basis.
Beijing (AsiaNews) – A migrant worker jumped to his death from the sixth floor of a building, which he had helped to build, tired of chasing his former employer over eight years of back pay for himself and his team of construction workers.
The incident occurred in Changfeng County (Anhui) and was reported by local newspapers.
The man, identified as Li, in his 50s, had began to work for the employer eight years ago, but had never received his wages, amounting to a six-figure sum in yuan. The same went for his co-workers.
Li had tried repeatedly to get his wages from the businessman, but to no avail.
Yesterday morning, he went to the eight-storey building that he and his former boss had built in 2008, the year of the Beijing Olympics, hoping to see the latter who could not be found. Angered and frustrated, he then threw himself off the sixth floor.
Li’s family said he had been under tremendous pressure as the money he was owed included the other workers’ wages.
What happened yesterday is very common across China. Many migrant workers from the countryside come to town to earn a living and are hired to work on construction sites as simple labourers.
Employers promise to pay at the end of the work, providing them with a daily meal and a place to sleep indoors, usually a container or a shack.
At the end of the work, employers disappear and migrants – who are illegal in the city because they have no residence permit – are unable to seek redress.
This situation becomes even more pronounced whenever China’s economy shows signs of stress.
According to the China Labour Bulletin, last August saw 85 strikes in the construction industry; in September they rose to 95, all over unpaid wages.
Suicides increase during main Chinese holidays, like New Year, when migrants traditionally go home, hoping to bring the money earned during the year. When their employers refuse to pay or hide, some are driven to suicide.
Sometimes the justice system goes against them as well. Last March, eight migrants were sentenced to six to eight months in prison for protesting in public in Langzhong (Sichuan), demanding back pay. The court found them guilty of obstructing public business by resisting police officer trying to move them.
According to official figures, about 3 million migrant workers are not regularly paid. More than 70 per cent have no retirement plan or medical care.
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