Chinese Workers to Get Help in Labor Disputes From New Union-Run Legal Aid Programs Legal Services E-lert
Date of E-Lert – 09/05/08
Bibliographic Info:
Author: Guan Ziaofeng Source: China Daily Date: 8/16/08
China
Daily reports: "More workers
engaged in disputes with their employers will get access to legal aid as a
result of new guidelines issued by China's top trade union body. According to the document, which was released
on Monday [August 11, 2008] by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions
(ACFTU), unions at county level or above will set up legal aid agencies to help
workers resolve labor disputes with their employers. The agencies will also help them safeguard
personal and property rights related with the disputes. Workers can apply for legal aid from the
agencies even if they are not union members, Xie Liangmin, deputy director of
the federation's law department, said.
However, they should be in ‘financial difficulties' in order to qualify
for free legal aid. At present, each
province has different criteria to judge workers' financial situation. In some areas, people covered by minimum
social security can qualify for legal aid.
The document also stipulates that workers who do not meet the criteria
can still apply for legal aid if their rights are ‘seriously' violated. Rural migrant workers who have problems in
getting payments or compensation for occupational injuries from their bosses
are qualified to receive free legal aid regardless of their financial
situation."
