Over the summer, Salford and Manchester trade unionists have held two demos in support of Chinese workers who, they claim, have been brutally repressed for trying to form an independent trade union at Jasic Technology Limited in Shenzhen, China.
They've protested outside the Chine consulate in Rusholme, and also outside the Wilkinson Star HQ in the Wardley Industrial Estate, which is also the home of the Wilkinson Welding Academy, sponsored by Jasic.
"We're here today to support the rights of super exploited Chinese workers to be members of a free trade union" explained Paul Gerrard "These workers make welding machines in Shenzhen, and originally applied to join an official trade union but their representatives were refused, so they've had to go down the road of creating an independent trade union...and that was when all hell was let loose on them.
"There's been arrests, beatings up by the police, people being held in 'black' hotels, people disappearing with nobody knowing where they were being held, and there's been websites taken down" he added "Jasic has a relationship with Wilkinson, which is selling Jasic machines."
Last time they held a demo here, the trade unionists were promised a statement by Wilkinson Star, which never arrived. So today they returned and finally got to question directors about Jasic, and receive the statement which basically denies claims of repression.
Outside the Wilkinson offices Wilkinson Finance Director, Alan Carter, told the protesters; "We've been to the factory, you wouldn't believe the standards of those people...Jasic is a very good company. But next time we go to Jasic we can ask those sorts of questions."
Commercial Sales Director, Steve Ross, told the protesters that, "There's no way John Wilkinson would have anything to do with a company of the manner you're talking about...We've no intention of cancelling..."
The statement by Wilkinson Star explains that "Jasic attach great importance to employees' democratic rights" and claims an "employee became involved with a foreign funded illegal organisation who incited the worker to become violent and along with his cohorts broke into the company which ended in their police arrest..."
Wilkinson go on to claim that the allegations came from "extremists" and add "As a board of directors we have visited the Jasic, Shenzhen factory on many occasions and the facilities provided to staff, both the working and living conditions are of a very high standard...
"We can assure our customers, partners and colleagues that Jasic has been vindicated of any unlawful activity and remains transparent and strictly democratic in the rights and interests of its employees..."
In a further statement, Jasic underlined the sentiments of the Wilkinson statement, while adding that it has "provided employees with spacious, bright and comfortable work and living environment, further making their spare time activities more colourful..."
Videos showing people protesting about Jasic workers being attacked by the police show how 'colourful' the spare time activities can be!*
The statements by both Jasic and Wilkinson Star were denounced by Becci from the Salford Socialist Party as "a pack of lies", as she shouted at the Wilkinson directors..."There's people in China who have been tortured for trying to join a trade union...and you're in bed with them..."
* To see the video – click here
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