Strike at Chinese factory spurs inquiry on housing

Workers at a Kunning factory stopped production for three days in a recent protest against managers, trade union leaders, and their friends taking over the best apartments in new housing projects, the Yunnan Daily reports. The Chinese Constitution gives workers the right to strike, but such action is rarely reported in the official press.

The southwest China provincial newspaper said an investigation was ordered by Kunming's Communist Party Central Committee and as a result the director of the factory, the party secretary, and the trade union chief were ordered to perform public self-criticism. Unspecified leadership changes were also made.