China: Workers in Guangdong attacked for asking to be paid

A chinese construction worker in the shadow of a high rise

Construction workers building a dam near Heyuan, were attacked after demanding payment, having gone four months without wages.

Some 300-400 workers at the site, currently building a hydro-electric power station, went on strike last Friday in protest at the massive wage arrears. Some 200 hired thugs then attacked the workers. Lei Mingzhong, is reported to be in a coma and brain dead and acccording to doctors has no chance of recovery. Many other workers were injured in the clashes.

Huang Juping the spokesman for the regional government tried to downplay the incident, claiming that 100 migrant workers has struck over pay claims and that only some 30 had fought with company employees leading to injury. Four company employees have been arrested so far over the injuries to Mr. Mingzhong.