In the faraway rural China

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In the faraway rural China
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of rivers, villages and rice fields
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People rely on farming for their livelihood
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But crop prices are low, taxes are high and
there is not enough work for everyone
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It is no surprise then that many younger people
go to cities to look for a job, the elderly and
children are left behind
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Children are our future, as many think
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• They hope their children can be educated
• and can earn a better life

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Some villagers decide to stay in the city...
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where they are called migrant workers
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Some migrant workers toil at the factories of
southeast China, where, however, the working
conditions are worse than expected
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Factory workers make upmarket products, such as
toys and clothes we see in our shopping malls.
While some of them manage to save money and
return home, others are injured and even die in
industrial accidents.In 2002, about 460,000
people in China were injured at work, according
to the International Labour Organisation.
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One fire, in 1993, killed 87 workers at a toy
factory in Shenzhen, most victims were women
migrant workers
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For those who survived, they have to struggle to
carry on...
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Compensation for the injured and for families of
the dead was delayed for years
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How about other labour issues in China?
Extremely low pay for very long hours,
sub-standard dormitories, contact with toxics and
workers not being entitled to their rights of
assembly and collective bargaining
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What do farmers and migrant workers receive for
their huge sacrifices? How does this relate to us
in Hong Kong?
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The Answer is around us.Why do workers only
get HK1.2 from a branded T-shirt that retails
for HK198?Why do coffee farmers only get one
cent from a cup of coffee priced at HK12?
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World cities wouldnt be as glamorous and
metropolitan without the contributions of such
farmers and migrant workers

• At the same time, consumption patterns in urban
  areas could deplete all our resources, including
  ourselves, one day

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Mirror and Mirage

• A Photographers look at Trade and Responsibility
• In this book, stories of deprived farmers and
  workers in China, and unfair exchange between the
  rich consuming metropolis and poor producing
  area, are revealed through the eyes of the
  photographer.
• Author, photographer Tai Ngai Lung
• Production Hong Kong Christian Industrial
  Committee
• Publisher Oxfam Hong Kong
• powerpoint by Chow Sung Ming

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Some recommendations

• Improve compensation for victims of industrial
  accidents
• Improve occupational health systems
• China can join over 100 other countries in
  declaring April 28th as Memorial Day for The
  Dead and Injured Workers a tribute to those
  who have suffered from industrial accidents
• For more information and to make donations
• Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee
• Tel [phone] www.cic.org.hk
• Oxfam Hong Kong
• Tel [phone] www.oxfam.org.hk
• Asia Monitor Resource Center
• Tel [phone] www.amrc.org.hk