On December 17th, a large number of sanitation workers in Xi’an took to the streets near the Huaqing Palace in Lintong District to demand payment for 5 months of unpaid wages. The local Urban Management Bureau claimed that the reason for the wage arrears was because the “government has no money.” The news of the road blockage to demand wages has sparked discussions online and become a hot topic on social media.
On December 18th, the topic “Sanitation workers in Xi’an blocked roads to demand payment for 5 months of unpaid wages” trended on Weibo.
A video released by mainland China’s “Owl Video” showed a large group of sanitation workers wearing uniforms labeled “Xi’an Sanitation” gathering near the Huaqing Palace in Lintong District to demand their unpaid wages. The video did not specify the exact number of people present, but it showed at least hundreds, if not more.
In response to the situation, a staff member from the Urban Management Bureau Sanitation Center in Lintong District explained, “The sanitation workers are outsourced, and because the government has no funds, the third party has not been able to pay their wages, resulting in a total of 5 months of unpaid wages for the sanitation workers.”
The staff member also mentioned that relevant personnel have been sent to resolve the issue and promised possible payment by the end of the month. The government is also seeking other ways to raise funds to address the problem.
The news of sanitation workers in Xi’an blocking roads to demand wages has garnered attention online. Netizens commented, “Outsourcing can exclude benefits, but still withhold wages?” “Why not withhold the salaries of leaders?” “Five months of wages equals the price of 3 bottles of Maotai.” “Definitely been misappropriated!”
Some netizens expressed concern, saying, “Having unpaid wages for five months, how do you expect them to survive?” “Community sanitation workers are elderly and are also owed money. They are afraid of losing their jobs.” “Similar incidents happen frequently.”
Netizens from other regions of mainland China shared their experiences, with one saying, “I’m a sanitation driver and have been owed wages for four months.” “Here, salaries haven’t been paid for eight months.” “Local finances are tight, just like here. Previously, teachers used to receive next month’s salary at the end of the month, but now it’s delayed.” “Salaries were only paid until September, and social security payments were not made.” “Lintong teachers’ salaries were paid only until August.” “Even temporary teachers in our area haven’t received wages for a long time.”
Some netizens sarcastically commented, “Isn’t the economic situation supposed to be improving?” “Seeing yesterday’s so-called stable economic growth for 2024 early in the morning makes me want to laugh.”