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China urges Japan to safeguard rights of its workers

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-11 19:24

BEIJING - China on Thursday urged Japan to safeguard the legitimate rights of its workers by properly and fairly handling the accusation that six Chinese women had been enslaved by a Japanese company that employed them.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks at a regular briefing here, confirming Chinese officials had expressed grave concern to local police and labor protection supervision departments.

"The Chinese embassy to Japan has sent officials to meet with the Japanese employers and relevant departments. They have visited the women workers and expressed sympathy and solicitude."

According to media reports, the six women workers from central China's Hubei Province suffered beatings in Japan and were forced to return to China after protesting to their employer over "unreasonable" pay.

Three workers were injured while another three returned to China. The issue aroused much attention in both countries and relevant departments of the two nations had started an investigation.

Jiang urged the relevant Japanese departments to make an investigation promptly, to handle the issue properly and fairly, and safeguard the legitimate rights of the Chinese workers.

The Foreign Ministry and embassy would continue to pay close attention to the issue and then take proper measures, she added.