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In April, the American Chamber of
Commerce in Shanghai submitted a
detailed set of objections, criticizing
the proposed law for “excessive strict-
ness.”
“Our member companies have ex-
pressed reservations about the draft in
its current form,” the Chamber wrote.
“Many AmCham (American Cham-
ber) Shanghai member companies are
concerned that, as the draft stands, it is
a step backwards for Chinese eco-
nomic reforms — away from global
trends of flexible labor markets.”
It would be better that the national
legislation “not be too detail-oriented,”
said the Chamber, and “for local au-
thorities to work out such details ac-
cording to local situations.” The pro-
posed law is based on the practice of
developed countries, said the Cham-
ber, but “people must … not try to run
before they could walk.” Proposed
seniority protections would amount to
a “discriminative policy toward new
employees.” Instead, the Chamber
said, business enterprises should “con-
tinuously apply the policy of ‘survival
of the fittest’ on employees.”
If the draft becomes law, the Cham-
ber wrote, it would put China at a dis-
advantage in competition with other
countries and could lead foreign in-
vestors to go elsewhere.
The American Chamber represents
1,400 corporations, including 150 of
the Fortune 500, such as Oregon-head-
quartered Nike.
Nike spokesperson Derek Kent told
the Northwest Labor Press the Cham-
ber didn’t consult the company before
delivering the comments to the Chi-
nese government. In light of Nike’s
professed commitment to corporate re-
sponsibility, Kent said Nike supports
governments’ enforcing and strength-
ening laws that protect workers. But
Nike has no plans to tell the Chinese
government that, and it’s “neutral” on
the Chamber’s position. Nike doesn’t
employ manufacturing workers in
China — or anywhere else — Kent
said, because Nike products are made
by contractors. In the spring, Nike held
an information session to let its key
contract factories know about the pro-
posed law and comment period..
The American Chamber’s com-
ments, posted on its Web site, were re-
ported in several foreign newspapers,
including a June 24 article in the Lon-
don Guardian caught the attention of
staff at Global Labor Strategies, a non-
profit research and analysis group that
works closely with unions and other
groups.
“It’s easy to blame China, but really
it’s the U.S. corporations doing busi-
ness in China that are the dominant
players,” said GLS staffperson Tim
Costello. “We tend to say we’re trad-
ing with China. We’re trading with GE
and Wal-Mart.”
GLS decided to publicize the role
of U.S. business in lobbying against
Chinese labor law improvements. That
led to an Oct. 13 article in the New
York Times. Some members of Con-
gress read that article, and were an-
gered by what they saw.
Led by U.S. Representative Lynn
Woolsey of California, 27 members of
Congress signed an Oct. 31 letter call-
ing on President Bush to support
China’s moves to reform its labor law,
and “publicly repudiate” the efforts of
U.S.-based corporations to weaken
workers’ rights in China. Oregon Con-
gressman Peter DeFazio was one of
the signers.
With Democrats in the majority
come January, there’s talk of a hearing
that could embarrass American com-
panies for their China stance.
Meanwhile, observers familiar with
China expect the government to move
ahead with the law, probably early
next year.
Electricians, Carpenters, Laborers, Glaziers, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofer, Asbestos Workers, Family, Mill Wrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers
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Glaziers, Carpenters, Laborers, Electricians, Sheetmetal Workers, Floorcoverers, Bricklayers, Cement Masons, Roofers, Asbestos Workers, Family, Mill Wrights, Painters, Elevators, Plasterers
DECEMBER 1, 2006
NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
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