Wei Jingsheng Foundation News and Article Release Issue Number: A4-L1

魏京生基金会新闻与文章发布号：A4-L1

Release Date: February 4, 2003

发布日：2003年2月4日

Topic: Foundation Focus on Workers' Movement and Two articles by Mr. WEI

标题：魏京生基金会就中国工人运动的工作重点及魏京生先生的文章两篇

Original Language Version: Chinese

(English at beginning, Chinese version at the end)

此号以中文为准（英文在前，中文在后）

The Wei Jingsheng Foundation and the Overseas Chinese Democracy

Coalition are dedicated to the promotion of human rights and democratization

in

China.  We appreciate your assistance and help in any means.

We pledge solidarity to all who struggle for human rights and democratic

governance on this planet.

You are welcome to use or distribute this release.  However, please credit

with this foundation and its website at: www.weijingsheng.org

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February 1, 2003

Editor's Words: Condolences and Thoughts for the Columbia Tragedy

As the editor compiling this issue of the newsletter, I heard the tragedy of

the space shuttle Columbia.  As a physicist by training, I felt more at a

loss.  It was great human achievements like the space program that inspired a

middle school kid to skip high school and take physics as her college major -

for it was the most challenging.  Nevertheless, it was the loss of lives such

as the Challenger tragedy in 1986 that made me more than ever realize how

fragile yet what a treasure human lives are.  These lives taught us that

'where there is a will there is a way' although with a dear price.

Nowadays, the democracy and human rights we Chinese are working for makes me

feel even more challenged.  The fight for Chinese democracy and human rights

cost many more human lives and freedom on its way, without much knowing to

the rest world.  The current situation in China could be so explosive, and

could lead to deadly consequences when it fires.  We have heard of massive

uprisings and unrests in the past, but we have missed much more.

We want to see peace and harmony for our Chinese people, yet we must be

prepared for the worst.

From this issue on, we will start to distribute news and articles about the

Chinese workers' movement, as well as the Chinese law system and foreign

workers' unions experience.  Here we are going to share with you the focus of

our mission regarding unions and the workers' movement in China, including

two articles by Mr. WEI Jingsheng.   Our effort is to provide some guidance,

suggestions, help and an improved communication to our brothers and sisters

in China.

Thanks you,

-- Ciping HUANG

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Part 1: The WEI Jingsheng Foundation Focuses its Work on the Workers Movement

and Labor Unions in the following aspects:

1. To assist Chinese workers' fighting for their basic rights by all means

2. To tear down the Chinese totalitarian regime's information iron wall, to

inform Chinese labor activists about events from in and out of China through

technological means

3.To build up a stronger labor network web, so that the Chinese

non-governmental labor movement could be better and more represented and

organized

4. To establish a healthy non-governmental civil society, thus enabling the

teaching of labor laws to all workers who want to defend their rights by

peaceful and legal means

5. To pressure Western governments and appeal to the international community

for attention on the Chinese workers' fights for their basic human rights

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Part 2: Article by Mr. WEI Jingsheng (1)

HOW TO DEVELOP A WORKERS' MOVEMENT

In the last few years, there has grown a massive workers' movement in China.

However, due to lack of experience and lack of communication and information,

this movement often ended up without reaching its goals.  How could we have

an effective struggle?

First and the most important, we must be organized.

Workers belong to one of the weakest social groups. Without appropriate

organizations that have the purpose of uniting together to protect their

social and economic interests, workers are powerless against oppressive

official apparatus and business corporations. Furthermore, in China, the

Communist Party was founded from a union movement of the workers and

peasants, thus the Communist Party understands the nature and threat of a

worker movement - socially and politically. Indeed, not surprisingly the

Chinese Communists prohibit all non-governmental worker unions, and other

organizations in the society with any political color or purposes.  Under the

Chinese law, self-organized, independent unions in China are unlawful and its

members will face strong penalty charges and prison sentences.

Presently, there is a very low possibility of publicly organizing workers

unions in China.  The more feasible way is to make the organization

non-political and multi-faceted on the surface, to gain the chance of playing

a cat and mouse game with the government.  The key point is to keep the

organization long and stay together, meanwhile protecting the workers'

leaders.  During the process, one should avoid presenting political goals to

upset the government.  Instead, presenting the essential requests which fill

the majority's interest would just as well reach the goal of unity and

keeping the organization alive.

Second, the struggle should take a lawful approach.

Some have pointed out that worker movements should learn from history,

precisely the illegal underground political organization that the CCP

originated from. However, such methods could only legitimize the CCP's

oppression and use it as excuse to against non-governmental political

organizations.  In comparison with Western democratic countries, China lacks

laws and fails on its own limited laws.  However, in reality, the Chinese

people have been taking advantage of the laws that do exist.  This is the

window we could use.  Our workers' brothers and sisters who are not experts

on certain legal aspects should try to learn from the intellectuals,

especially lawyers who share the same political conviction.  The best way is

to have these two forces united together to explore the possibility of legal

fighting.  Even a small step shall mean a big victory.  Success accumulates

success.

Due to the corruption and incapacity of the Communist government, there are

severe illegal activities by the foreign invested joint ventures in Mainland

China.  One approach is to investigate the cases of labor abuse in these

businesses, which could be argued as beginning a lawful fight to guarantee

workers basic rights.

Another focus could be using the internal fractionation of the Communist

party, since most of the Chinese laws are manipulated for political reasons.

We need to take opportunities to get the help we need from the internal

fights and interest conflicts of the Communist government.

Third, we must learn about the importance of media power

As we know, the media in both mainland and HK are under tight control from

CCP.  However, the western media has more freedom.  Approaching western

journalists and their companies' offices in China (such as the ones of RFA,

VOA or BBC) is the only reasonably reliable channel for inland Chinese to

inform outsiders about continuing worker movements.  One could call in or

interview to get the message sent out both to overseas and back to China, for

these stations have a large amount of Chinese audience.  In addition, such

coverage and publicity from western media also gives pressure that would

protect workers' leaders.

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Part 3: Article by Mr. WEI Jingsheng (2)

A SOCIAL FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

When people are talking about recent workers movements in China, they often

refer to formerly employed persons from state-owned enterprises. However,

because of the increasing numbers of countryside migrants in cities working

as temp workers or housekeepers, such a population constitutes a silent

formation of another social force that should not be ignored.

In reality, the government could hardly control such social groups because no

one could establish a liaison with them. Those populations due to either

regionalism or dialectical facility have been forming groups upon those

factors.  And, in order to protect their basic rights it is not rare to see

them protest for, for instance, their legal residential right or working

rights. Therefore, we have to improve our connection with those people for

future cooperation when we are promoting workers' movements inside of China.

Of course, we should follow principles of not politicalizing and not

religiously converting any groups inside of China.  The most effective way is

to organize on the basis of simple benefits such as limited working hours,

welfare and protection, etc.  Take the means of negotiation, or pleas, to the

local people's congress to make a peaceful and rational struggle for the

ultimate goals.  Unfortunately, those migrants have virtually no basic

rights.  Recently, one young girl coming from Sichuan Province died of

fatigue in a joint venture factory in Shenzheng.  No one cared and her

parents did not receive any compensation from the factory, nor did they

receive any legal help. Therefore, we must find what is available from

Chinese law, with assistance from Chinese legal experts who have some basic

conscience and compassion.  Even one specific case as a starting point will

broaden the fight for basic social protection.

On the other side, the flowing migration from the countryside should not only

unite themselves together, but also should expand into the rest of society to

win the compassion and support for the other social groups in the cities.  To

use the local paper as much as possible to expose the corruption of officials

and the darkness of the society is one way.  The other way is to use the

Overseas' media such as Radio Free Asia, Voice of America and BBC as the

channels to reach out.

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Base.

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中文版

Wei Jingsheng Foundation News and Article Release Issue Number: A4-L1

魏京生基金会新闻与文章发布号：A4-L1

Release Date: February 4, 2003

发布日：2003年2月4日

Topic: Foundation Focus on Workers' Movement and Two articles by Mr. WEI

标题：魏京生基金会就中国工人运动的工作重点及魏京生先生的文章两篇

Original Language Version: Chinese

(English at beginning, Chinese version at the end)

此号以中文为准（英文在前，中文在后）

魏京生基金会及中国民主运动海外联席会议以推动中国的人权与民主为己任。

我们欢迎任何形式的帮助与贡献。我们愿与世界上为人权与民主而奋斗的人们一起努力。

我们希望您能够帮助我们散发我们的资料。但请标明出处与我们的网址：

www.weijingsheng.org

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编者的话：

在我刚开始编这一集时，传来了哥伦比亚号空难的消息。作为一个物理学家，我的心情更加沉重。想当年，是人类伟大

的科技成就鼓励了一个刚进高中的初生牛犊选择了当年最富挑战性的物理专业。只是在此之后，尤其是在经历了挑战者

号的悲剧后，才更进一步地理解到生命是如此的珍贵，却又是如此的脆弱。但也正是这些早逝的生命年华帮助我们进一

步地相信了, 只要努力，又愿意付出，就必能成功的道理。

然而，推动中国的人权与民主却是一个更大的，更难的，更富有挑战性的事业。为此，多少人付出了自由乃至生命的代

价！今日的国情之危急不是靠中共的高压可以掩盖的。我们已经了解到许多的不同规模的抗议与示威活动，

尽管更多的却不为人知。

我们盼望一个和平与安定的中国，但我们却必须做更坏的准备。

从这期起，我们将散发有助中国工人运动的新闻与资料，以及外国工会的历史与经验。我们还将散发中国政府有关的法

律，使得人们学会用法律来保护自己。我们将在此期介绍本基金会的有关工人运动的工作目标，以及魏京生先生的两篇

相关文章。希望我们的努力能对中国的工人运动起一些帮助作用，并能进一步发展与我们在中国的兄弟姐妹们的友情及

交流。

黄慈萍

2003年2月1日

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我们的工作重点:

1. 协助中国工人争取自身利益

2. 突破中共独裁政权所设置的信息"柏林墙",通过互联网向中国国内的工运骨干提供境内外各种信息

3. 建立一个庞大的劳工网站,使国内地下独立工会更具组织性和代表性

4. 建立一个健康的非政府的文明社会，教导中国劳工以和平理性的态度,用法律来保护自己

5. 敦促西方政府和有关国际社会关注中国劳工为他们的基本人权而进行的奋争

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如何开展合法的工人运动

-- 魏京生

近年来中国大陆工潮风起云涌,但由于缺乏经验和信息不灵,因此往往不能达到预期的目的.

那末怎样才能进行有效的斗争呢?

首先最重要的一条就是要有组织.

工人和普通老百姓一样,在社会上属于弱势群体,若不团结一致的话,即使有理抗争也难逃官商的欺压.

不过由于中共本身起源于工农组织,深知独立工会对政府所造成的威胁,故绝不容忍民

间任何带有政治色彩组织的生存.目前在中国要公开成立自发性的工会组织似乎不太可能,

只有以非政治而又多层次的面貌出现,才能巧妙地与中共当局玩猫捉老鼠的游戏,关键是保持组织的不散和长久,

同时也要保护工人领袖的人身安全.避免以政治目标为诉求而用一些符合大家切身利益的要求为号召,

同样也可以达到团结和组织的目的.

第二,必须以合法的方式作斗争.

有些民运朋友很喜欢仿效当年中共搞地下活动的非法模式组织工运,实际上反而容易被当局抓住可以治罪的把柄.

虽然与西方民主国家相比,中国几乎毫无法治可言,但生活中老百姓钻法律空档的例子则是层出不穷.

其实那正是我们可以利用的一扇窗户.当然工人弟兄们一般不太精通专业的法律知识,

那么就应该多向有正义感的知识份子尤其是律师们学习请教,最好是两股力量相结合,共同探索合法斗争的契机

,哪怕是携手走出一小步就已经是巨大的胜利,将点点滴滴的成功累积起来,效力应远大于一鸣惊人.

由于中共政权的腐败无能,在大陆设厂的外资企业违法行为相当严重,不妨从调查所谓"农村打工仔"权益受损的案件着手

,作为合法斗争的一个项目.

另外中共党内的派系倾轧也是可以利用的一个焦点,因为中国的法律大部分为政治所左右,

我们应该从中共的内斗和相互的利益冲突中巧妙地得到我们所需要的帮助.

第三,要充分发挥媒体的功效.

中国大陆和港台的传媒被中共严格控制,较难发出正义的声音.但西方舆论界的自由度很大,可以通过他们的驻华机构,

建立沟通管道.更重要的是与自由亚洲电台(RFA)美国之音(VOA)英国广播公司(BBC)

等在大陆拥有广大听众的中文节目用电话叩应（CALL IN）等方式形成常规的信息交流系统.

一方面让外界及时了解中国国内最新的工运动向,一方面海外媒体的压力也可以作为对中国工运领袖们的保护伞.

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一股不可忽视的社会力量

-- 魏京生

谈到中国大陆的工人运动,大家往往把注意力集中在国有企业和下岗工人.但近年来由于农村流动人口的增加,

城里人口中的"小保姆"或"打工仔"正悄悄形成一股不可忽视的社会力量.

事实上,政府对这一社会群体很难掌控,主要是因为不管是城市还是乡村的基层党组织都无法与他们维系密切的接触.

而另一方面,这些农村流动人口自身由于同乡或地源关系,很容易在城市中自然而然地形成一些团体和组织.

他们为追求和保护某种共同的权利或利益,成功地进行了几次抗争运动,譬如在城市合法的居住和工作权等等.

因此当我们在国内推动工农运动时,必须对他们善加利用.

当然,基本原则还是不能把任何国内组织政治化或宗教化.最有效的做法就是为单纯的权益(如工时限制,生活保障等)

而组织起来,用集体谈判,罢工或向地方人民代表大会请愿的方式,和平理性的抗争以达到最终的目的.不过,

大部分农村流动人口的人权状况根本没有任何基本标准可言.

最近在深圳发生的一起四川打工妹在外资企业因劳累致死案,

受害者的亲属就既得不到任何赔偿也没有什么法律援助.

我们一定要寻找中国法律留给老百姓的最后一点空间,在有良知的法律专家和律师们的协助下,

不妨以一个典型案例为起点,切切实实争取社会保障,并逐步扩大成果.

农村流动人口不仅要注重自身的团结,也要尽可能博取城市各社会阶层的同情和支持.

另外还应该经常利用地方小报揭露官商的腐败和社会的黑暗.当然,海外传媒如RFA,VOA BBC

等则应当作为喉舌认真对待.

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