China - Shaanxi enterprises union rights’ defence congress’ (2010)

Over 380 workers from some 20 enterprises in Shaanxi province applied to the provincial Party committee and regional trade union federation to set up a group called the Shaanxi Enterprise Union Rights Defence Representative Congress which would act as a form of centralised workers’ congress overseeing enterprise level worker congresses, unions and enterprises. The aim was to uncover problems and unlawful activity and enable workers to seek collective justice. The organisers stressed that they would not seek to petition or hold protests but instead to organise effective unions for the workers. The organiser received no official response from the authorities but Hong Kong media reported that some of the organisers were threatened by officials who claimed the proposed group was a “reactionary organization,” linked to foreign hostile forces.