Struggle against Cadmium Poisoning at Gold Peak Holdings continues: JetPower workers protest

IHLO is currently working on several OSH related cases including the cadmium poisoned battery workers working at the Hong Kong based company Gold Peak. Gold Peak workers have been attempting to claim adequate compensation, redundancy benefits and other payments for many years now in the face of extreme intransigence by Gold Peak. In 2007 IHLO nominated Gold Peak for the Public Eye People's Awards as one of the world’s most callous employers.

In Hong Kong a protest is planned for 22 April to show solidarity with workers from Gold Peak subsidiary JetPower who face an uncertain future after management refuse to negotiate compensation and redundancy packages for cadmium affected workers.

It has emerged that in addition to workers at the Hong Kong and China based Gold peak factories being affected by excessive cadmium levels and cadmium m poisoning new cases at another GP subsidiary have been found along with relocated related issues. Since September 2008 onwards, machines and managers were relocated from the Gold Peak Shenzhen JetPower factory reducing the size of the factory from two buildings to just three floors while the number of workers was cut from 1000 to about 500. It was rumoured that the plant was to move to Huizhou but with no clarification offered and  attempts at discussions rejected workers went on strike from the 19 -25 February.

The strike successfully forced a representative from GP to meet with the workers on its first day when she announced that JetPower would indeed relocate to Huizhou and close its Shenzhen operations. A compensation package would be given to the workers by 13 February at the latest. However on 23 GP held another meeting with the workers  and announced instead that the company was to remain in Shenzhen and would fulfil its  contractual obligations. However no compensation proposal was provided until the following day the company finally announced a compensation package and reassured workers that “all [the relocation] will be done in accordance with the laws”.  However despite continued requests no clear package has been agreed.

Factory ACFTU chair represents management

In another twisted irony when workers initially met with the labour bureau and upper management representative’s n 18 February, they were faced with the local Chinese General Manager of the plant representing management – at the same time however he was also the factory’s ACFTU branch chair. Holding both titles however did not stop him from claiming that he knew ‘nothing’ about the company’s plans. The chair/manager is due for retirement soon and workers believe that the 5,000 Yuan earmarked as union help for sick workers will be scrapped once he is retired. [The ‘union’ has around 400 members both management and rank and file workers].

Refusal to pay medical costs

While the situation is grim for several hundred of these workers who will be laid off, the situation will be immeasurably worse for those workers who have contracted cadmium poisoning or have excessive levels in their blood stream. The compensation package for hem has not yet been announced and the company remains reluctant to hold genuine talks with the affected workers.

During the strike, as a grim portent of the possible problems to come, a worker who has already been diagnosed with excessive cadmium level and with 18 years of service at JetPower fainted. The worker was admitted into hospital but JetPower were reluctant to pay for the medical fee. After lengthy negotiations JetPower agreed to pay HK1, 500 out of the total 2,012 Yuan. The workers decided to leave hospital to reduce further medical fees and then found that JetPower had instead taken the money they paid out of a special union fund for sick employees reducing her allowance.

Workers are now calling for

1. Immediate negotiations with all workers who have excessive cadmium levels on the workers’ compensation proposal; 

2. The announcement of a proposal for the medical treatment and follow-up arrangements for workers with excessive cadmium levels and cadmium poisoning.

A solidarity demonstration took place in Hong Kong on 22 April and further action continues.

IHLO

April 2009

Further details

For the JetPower strike summary : The six-day strike at Shenzhen JetPower Batteries Ltd. (19 -24 Feb 2009)*

For the Open Letter by Hong Kong based unions and groups to Gold Peak on this case see:  Letter to Gold Peak Industrial Holding Ltd regarding JetPower April 2009

For more information on the Gold peak campaign see IHLO website and Globalisation monitor