Odd, how some countries seem to put less emphasis on news from certain parts of the world.. In Canada one hears little about the Belgians..the Belgians are unaware to a large part concerning the daily goings on in Mexico.. and the Mexicans join the rest of us in general ignorance when it comes to China..
But once in a while something crosses one's desk..
It appears that China's ripping along the road of progress, while managing to maintain the Mandarin ambiance of the place. The reports lately have shown a country inundated by cheap labour, as some two million workers migrate from the country to the cities on a seasonal basis. These workers are forming a second working class layer, with little protection from the courts, unions, or police.. these are the ones who work like the devil, and then can be fobbed off when it comes to pay.. who will work with no written contract, and under conditions that any of our workmen would have a right good chuckle over, before suggesting options for the disposal of the offer.
Such is indeed the practice it seems, for workers have taken to threats of suicide to get their employers to pay up.. It works too, but it's happening with such regularity that most Chinese cities have now made it an automatic 14 day stretch in the pokey.. Nothing worse for the image of a construction or for that matter any comany, than to have someone threaten to thunder in for lack of payment..
One mustn't think tho that the Chinese authorities are unaware of their position, precarious as it must be. With two billions of subjects, those who rule do so only at the sufferance of the masses, and he dedication of their troops.
China's quietly throwing itself into the 21st century, with a determination that bespeaks a long thought strategy.. but then that's to be expected in a country who's foundation is long range planning.
Have to keep these human bombs under control though.
A short note.. a total ban on cigarette advertising comes into effect in what.. fifteen hours.. here in Britain..
So far, we've seen 'The Benson and Hedges Snooker Masters' fall to this legislation.. one wonders what Formula One will be doing when it has seeped over to encompass that sport in 2006.. the money is substantial..
But the BMA says even this is not enough..the self-destructive urges should be further legislated away with a ban on smoking in public. Outdoors. Anywhere.
One finds it amazing how fervently the cognoscenti/activists grasped this chimera, and how far the sniggering petrochemical lobby has seen it progress..