Since May 26, a strike broke out at Jilin Changchun Weikawei Auto Parts Co., Ltd. The reason behind the strike was the company’s relocation without prior notice, and the lack of reasonable compensation for workers who were made redundant due to the move, prompting employees to come forward to defend their rights. Weikawei has promised to provide a response to the workers soon.
On May 26, the first day of the strike, hundreds of employees grouped together in the workshop to strike. The following day, the gates of Changchun Weikawei were tightly locked, preventing employees from entering the premises to work. The strike has lasted for at least six days.
Ms. Wang told reporters that Weikawei initially did not disclose the relocation plan but instructed workers to support the new factory in Fanjiatun. After supporting the new location for a long period, workers returned to the Changchun plant only to find out they could not clock in. It was then revealed that the two plants had merged, and workers were required to commute to Fanjiatun for work.
She deemed it unfair, stating, “After the merger, they stopped paying us, and it ended there. We decided not to work anymore.”
Some workers voiced their complaints online through videos. One worker mentioned, “Firstly, shouldn’t the company inform employees if it’s relocating? Secondly, there should be shuttle buses after relocation, right? Forcing employees to resign voluntarily? This factory’s actions are truly unscrupulous.”
The new factory is located in Fanjiatun, Princess City, which Ms. Wang mentioned is far away, requiring a two-hour round trip by bus. With over 500 employees in the company, more than 300 are standing up for their rights, showing unwavering solidarity.
Others expressed sympathy, saying, “Why aren’t foreign companies as bad? Overseas companies wouldn’t dare to act in this manner. They have labor unions for the sake of workers. Our labor unions are established by various companies.”
Ms. Wang suggested that the company should handle each worker differently based on their distance from the workplace. For those living far away, they should be allowed to terminate the contract reasonably, while those living nearby could have their old contracts terminated and sign new ones. Despite many employees being willing to relocate, the company has consistently failed to provide an explanation.
She remarked, “They are now trying to persuade us to return without offering any payment. Alternatively, they suggest we resign voluntarily, providing a basic salary for one to three months upon resignation, with different tiers based on years of service.”
Having worked at Weikawei for eight years, Ms. Wang mentioned that resigning would only entitle her to a little over 10,000 yuan, and if she quits voluntarily, she wouldn’t be able to collect unemployment benefits.
She argued that this was unreasonable, stating, “The original contract stipulates that if the address changes, negotiations should be made with the employee to provide appropriate compensation. This was written in the initial contract.”
Employees have been posting videos on social media to showcase their efforts to defend their rights. May 31 marked the fifth day of the protest at Jilin Changchun Weikawei (click here to watch the video), with workers braving the rain in their work uniforms, standing outside the factory, waiting.
One employee complained, “Officials from Fanjiatun government, community, village committee, and police station have taken it upon themselves to visit the homes of employees to persuade them to withdraw, causing family members to fall ill out of fear. Is there no rule of law in this society? How did they find out our addresses? Who leaked the information? Can anyone stand up for us regular folks?”
A female worker commented, “Changchun Weikawei Auto Parts Co., Ltd. in Changchun City is irresponsible to its employees, providing no notice of relocation, no compensation, but pressuring employees instead.”
On June 1, the strike entered its sixth day, with workers persisting in standing or sitting firmly in their protest. Online supporters encourage them, saying, “Keep it up, stay strong,” and “Hold on till the end.”
Some online users remarked, “This factory is in chaos,” and “There are so many incidents like this in China; the unions are just for show, benefiting the leaders’ relatives.”
Regarding Weikawei secretly relocating to Fanjiatun, Ms. Wang believes, “Think about it, when they move to Fanjiatun Town, falling into that area, wouldn’t the Fanjiatun Town government welcome them? They can establish a new factory, enjoying a three-year tax exemption. Do you know the value of a three-year tax exemption? It’s worth several hundred million.”
She revealed, “When the government officials and managers visited, our unified stance was N+1 (severance payment based on years of service).”
Ms. Wang further emphasized, “Yesterday I asked the government representatives, I said, you keep advising us, let me ask you another question. Normally we work 12 hours, but they pay us for 11.5 hours. Is this fair and legal? They kept silent, stopped speaking.”
A worker also lamented, “With automation and no one to assist, eating or using the restroom, yet still standing for 12 hours. Standing for 12 hours and paid for only 11.5 hours.”
Established in 2016, Changchun Weikawei primarily operates in the automotive manufacturing sector, with its parent company being Beijing Weikawei Auto Parts Co., Ltd., a Sino-foreign joint venture listed company.
Changchun Weikawei’s phone calls currently go unanswered, while Beijing’s Weikawei headquarters responded to Dajiyuan by stating, “The company will reply uniformly according to the law, and the response will be given from the Changchun side. There is no information received at the moment.”