Six mentally disabled workers who were rescued in a crackdown on
illegal brick kilns in north China's Shanxi Province are being cared for, according
to the local government.
The six workers, who are in their 30s or 40s but cannot tell
where they come from, were rescued a week ago from illegal
brickyards in Ruicheng, one of the places in Shanxi where forced
labor cases have been exposed.
They are now living in a house for retired veterans in Ruicheng
and will be transferred to a welfare house in Yuncheng City in a
month, according to Yang Genlao, deputy director of the Ruicheng
Civil Affairs Bureau.
"Doctors carried out physical checkups when they were sent here
and found no wounds on their bodies," said Xi Xiangsi, a worker in
the house where they are being looked after.
The forced labor scandal in Shanxi made headlines all over China
in early June, sparking outrage among the public and arousing great
concern from top leaders. The workers were forced to work long
hours without payment in brickyards, mines and other small
works.
On Friday, an investigation group announced a total of 359
people, including 12 children and 65 mentally retarded workers, had
been rescued in Shanxi.
In total, 35 people have been detained in relation to the affair
and 20 others are being sought.
Shanxi's provincial governor Yu Youjun apologized over the
forced labor scandal, promising to do everything in his power to
root out the illegal practices.
Shocked by the scandal, China said it would soon launch a
nationwide inspection of labor conditions in small kilns and
collieries.
(Xinhua News Agency June 25, 2007)