BEIJING, June 26 (Reuters) - Chinese premier Wen Jiabao called for a 'harmonious' relationship between labour and capital, in comments as he toured the province of Zhejiang known for its manufacturing and private entrepreneurs.
A series of strikes, mostly at Japanese auto supply firms, has brought international attention to the prospect of rising wages in China, valued by foreign investors for its cheap workforce and good infrastructure.
Wages must rise but the pace must be in line with overall productivity, Wen said in paraphrased comments read in a report on state television's evening news.
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For more on China's recent strikes, see
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The strikes, mostly at Japanese auto parts firms, have been largely organised by young workers independently of the official, Communist Party-run union, which tends to side with management.
The Communist Party wants to sustain the manufacturing investment which has powered 30 years of economic boom, while staving off unemployment and worker unrest that it fears could destabilize its hold on power.
The strikers belong to a new generation of migrant workers, many of whom have no experience of farm work despite officially being registered as rural residents and therefore ineligible for the benefits enjoyed by registered urban residents.
A report released by China's population planning commission on Saturday estimated the number of Chinese migrant workers at 211 million in 2009.
It said the number could increase to 350 million by 2050.
(Reporting by Zhou Xin and Lucy Hornby; Editing by Ron Askew)
((lucy.hornby@thomsonreuters.com; +86 10 6627-1269; Reuters Messaging: lucy.hornby.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: CHINA WAGES (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
A series of strikes, mostly at Japanese auto supply firms, has brought international attention to the prospect of rising wages in China, valued by foreign investors for its cheap workforce and good infrastructure.
Wages must rise but the pace must be in line with overall productivity, Wen said in paraphrased comments read in a report on state television's evening news.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
For more on China's recent strikes, see
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The strikes, mostly at Japanese auto parts firms, have been largely organised by young workers independently of the official, Communist Party-run union, which tends to side with management.
The Communist Party wants to sustain the manufacturing investment which has powered 30 years of economic boom, while staving off unemployment and worker unrest that it fears could destabilize its hold on power.
The strikers belong to a new generation of migrant workers, many of whom have no experience of farm work despite officially being registered as rural residents and therefore ineligible for the benefits enjoyed by registered urban residents.
A report released by China's population planning commission on Saturday estimated the number of Chinese migrant workers at 211 million in 2009.
It said the number could increase to 350 million by 2050.
(Reporting by Zhou Xin and Lucy Hornby; Editing by Ron Askew)
((lucy.hornby@thomsonreuters.com; +86 10 6627-1269; Reuters Messaging: lucy.hornby.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: CHINA WAGES (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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