| Jumping from a height is a profession? | |
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| Jan 16, 2008 21:47 |   |
 | Farmer workers are the vulnerable group in China. They do some dirty labour works in cities to make their living. Life for them is really hard. But what is harder is that they can't get their payment at the end of year. Without other ways, they jump from a high building (risking their lives) to get their payments. Why? The media will report it as a big news. With the 'help' of the media, his boss get much pressure and the revalent governmental departments intervene in the matter. Finally, they might get back their money. It seems that this method is very useful. No wonder more and more farmer workers choose to jump from a high building to get back their money. Some people comment that jumping from a height has become a profession. Those who jump from the building just take advantage of the public's attention and sympathy to protect their own interests. IMO, they have no other ways except getting the public's attention and help. Any comments on this matter? |
| Jan 17, 2008 19:27 | #1 |
| This is so depressing. Is it really that bad? Why can’t they get their payments for their hard work??? |
| Jan 17, 2008 20:10 | #2 |
| Quote: "This is so depressing. Is it really that bad? Why can’t they get their payments for their hard work???" As Zoey said, Farmer workers are the vulnerable group in China. They need other's help but others seldom notice them. Luckily, things have become better in recent years. The government has realized this problem and has made some policies to protect farmer workers' interests. Actually, some building contractors are in the situation. They want to distribute salaries to farmer workers. However, those developers own them money and don't want to give it to the contractors. Farmers workers ask for their payments from contractors and contractors ask for money from developers. If contractors can't get back their money, how can farmer workers get their payments? For this reason, some contractors also jump from the building because they have no other ways. From this matter, we see that the government hasn't done good to protect farmer workers' interests though they have tried hard. Only jumping from the building can make those officials see that they still have a lot to do. Very sad! |
| Jan 18, 2008 20:01 | #3 |
| So how come the developers are not giving the money to the contractors? |
| Jan 20, 2008 20:32 | #4 |
| SHEGOTTOBE, those developers have too many excuses. They usually say:" At present, we are in short of money. Just wait for a while and I will give the money to you later." Actually they have enough money to enjoy themselves in recreational places. Very disgusting! Some of them even run away with the money collected from those house buyers. |
| Jan 21, 2008 11:20 | #5 |
| Are you saying that by jumping off of a building there is some sort of insurance or government program that will give the farmer's family the money earned by the farm? Or are you saying that by jumping off the building, the farmer avoids the pressures of great debt? I do not understand what you are saying. |
| Jan 21, 2008 19:04 | #6 |
| No, Griz. Farmer workers here refer to those farmers who go to the cities to make money. More properly, I should say make their livings. As Zoey said, they just do some dirty labour works to make their living. What I said is those farmers who work in building sites. It is 'normal' that those contractors owe payment to them. Without the payments, they even can't go back home. Some of them choose to jump from the building to end their lives. "Jumping from a height is a profession?" Originally, those farmer workers just want to end their lives by jumping from the building. But now it is a bit different. As Zoey explained, the media will report this matter widely. Through reading newspapers, people all get to know that sombody jumps from a building just because he can't get back his payment from his boss. Forced by the pressure from the media, the government intevene in this matter. Finally, the farmer workers may get back his payment. So, jumping from the height has become a 'show' that is used to attract people's attraction. This is my understanding of the title. However, we should see that the government has made relevant policies to protect those farmer workers' interests. When the Spring Festival is approaching, the relevant departments orgnize some staff to look into this matter and solve this problem. But, some people still jump from the height and they don't do it as a show. What does it suggest? The government has to do more and find other effective ways to solve this problem thoroughly. |
| Jan 21, 2008 19:14 | #7 |
| The way I understand it (and anyone hopefully will correct me if I am wrong), jumping off the building is the way for the farmers to get the attention of the government to solve the problem. Because the farmers are at the bottom of the “food chain” so to speak, their predicaments are often overlooked. Since the media will report the “jumping”, it will come to the attention of a lot of people and probably to pressure the developers to release the money. The desired end result is for the farmers to get their pay. But this is very risky. Even I am very frustrated even though I am outside looking in. It shouldn’t have to come to this. |
| Feb 5, 2008 02:22 | #8 |
| SHESGOTTOBE, you are quite right. Those farmers jump from high building just to attract the government's attention. Although it is risky, they have no other ways to get back their salary. Just as you said, they are at the bottom of the "food chain" and have been overkooked. On the other hand, they didn't receieve good education when they were young so that they don't know to use legal weapon to protect their interests. |
| Feb 11, 2008 12:05 | #9 |
| I am sickened by how many workers are not being paid on time, or being forced to work overtime without extra pay. It is totally contrary to the old Labour Law and the new one introduced on 1st January. The Law talks about workers unions acting for them and channels of complaint...it all seems so much hot air. Probably half of my Net friends complain of this problem. So Jimmy, just what legal options are available to them? If a few get together and hire a lwayer they will lose their jobs and probably still not get their pay. What can they do? Does anyone know what they can do? |
| Feb 12, 2008 20:02 | #10 |
| "So Jimmy, just what legal options are available to them? If a few get together and hire a lwayer they will lose their jobs and probably still not get their pay. What can they do? Does anyone know what they can do?" If I were they, I would find a lawyer to claim my salary back though I might lose my job. Why? I just want to tell my boss I am not ignorant. If all farmer workers could unite together, their bosses will be afraid of them. However, the fact is that they are lack of legal awareness and are afraid of losing their jobs. Fight or surrender? If they unite together and fight, their interests will be protected. Surrender, they will be exploited by their bosses forever. |
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