Xu Weihua, an official with the Rights and Interests Protection Department at the All-China Women's Federation, applauded the fallout from a high-profile case where 103 women workers at a private factory in South China's Guangdong Province were allegedly subjected to strip searches to find missing diamonds worth 500 yuan (US$60).

"One manager is being detained while another seven are on bail pending a trial with restrictions on their liberty," Xu said.

Although none of the workers contacted by China Daily were prepared to reveal their identity, they would comment on the matter.

"It hurts to let one more person know about the biggest humiliation of my life," a worker said.

For the same reason, the women workers may not appear on court.

Xu said while their reactions were understandable, they should be congratulated for fighting for their rights.

Despite a threat of unemployment, six of women refused a proposed compensation of 1,000 yuan (US$120).

They called media outlets in late August to publicize the matter and it took them about another month to decide to pursue justice.

"Our local officials will stay with them until a result acceptable to them is reached," Xu said.

The Guangdong Provincial Women's Federation provided immediate legal support for the women.

According to Xu, women's federations at all levels will attempt to enhance the self-protection of workers.

A self-protection mechanism in a surplus labor market forces employers to respect the rights and interests of their workers.

A report by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security put the country's urban labor surplus at 14 million to 15 million people last year.

According to Xu, governmental departments and organizations should put more effort into balancing the ledger between the often-uneducated laborers and the employers, who are backed by capital, equipment and an administrative system.

"Take the All-China Federation of Trade Unions as an example," she said. "Such a severe incident might not have happened if there was a trade union at the factory."

Guo Wencai, director of the Grassroots Organization Establishment Department of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, agrees.

"Union is force," Guo said during a recent interview with China Central Television.

Although the trade union federation has worked hard, it is lagging behind the labor shift from mainly State-owned enterprises to private ones, leaving employees without an option.

Some local governments worry that the compulsory establishment of trade unions may frighten away investors.

"They have not realized that a smooth relationship between employers and employees is the guarantee for the healthy development of enterprises in the future," Guo said.

(China Daily September 25, 2002)