Large strike against French cement maker

Over 3,000 cement workers are involved in a strike that has already lasted for two weeks, reports the China Worker. The Sichuan Shuangma Investment Group, a listed company, ran into trouble as the French cement maker Lafarge took over the factory in the town of Erlangmaio in a Rmb 300 million deal.

In order to implement compulsory redundancies, the management of the Shuangma group offered each worker compensation at RMB 1380 for each year of employment.
As part of the compensation deal workers will lose all entitlements to their pensions, social insurance and medical insurance, even if they have worked for this former state-owned company for over 20 years. It is reported that these terms were a prerequisite for the takeover from Lafarge’s side.

Lafarge is working in China through a joint venture with the famous Shui On Group from Hong Kong. The town has virtually closed off from the outside world and internet has been disconnected in an effort to try and stop news from leaking out, the publication says.
More details here.