Slave row deepens

Despite efforts by the central government to give the slave issue a positive twist, public anger is only increasing, fed by reports in the local media, writes Reuters. The call to resign for those official who are responsible for the slave labor is increasing.

The Southern Metropolis Daily, a popular tabloid, said the same local officials who were now parading themselves as rescuers of trapped workers had long turned a blind eye to the trade...
"The dereliction of local government departments and even collusion between officials and criminals is plain to see," said one local newspaper commentary reproduced on the Web site of the People's Daily (www.people.com.cn).
Other critics said the abuses highlighted the disintegration of local government in the countryside.