Employer's treatment of heroes is shameful

It's just shocking to learn that heroic workers who rescued people trapped in water during the July 21 torrential rain in Beijing were forced by their employer to hand over money donated to them as a reward, says the Xi'an Evening News. Excerpts:

The 152 migrant workers' heroic deed moved the entire nation, except for their shameless employer, which withheld the 454,000 yuan ($71,320) donation by philanthropist Li Chunping and the Tencent Fund.

Management of the employer, Fengtai Hexi Water Recycling Plant, responded that the withholding is merely a measure to make sure all workers stay and keep working for the plant's project.

But the plant's pretext is weak, as some "uncooperative" workers have already been fired. So as soon as the media spotlight moves away, the public becomes indignant when it sees how vulnerable these workers are.

And if such a widely reported and highly praised deed can't serve to help these heroic workers protect their rights, there is reason to worry about the treatment of so many other migrant workers, who may have their wages withheld for months or even not get paid at all.

Relevant authorities should reflect on why the situation is still not improved, while strengthening the implementation of administrative and legal measures to better protect those workers' rights, of which the donation is just a tiny part.