China Lawyers’ Net recently released a report showing that a rural migrant worker, seeking to recover unpaid wages, would need to spend about three times the amount owed him to have any chance of success. These figures add to the sense of injustice and tragedy evoked by the case of Wang Binyu, executed earlier this year after killing four people in a frustrated rage when he failed to recover back pay, the report said.
The website run by the All-China Lawyers Association on 29 September 2005 issued the “Report on the cost to migrant workers of safeguarding one’s rights” which stated that to recover 1,000 yuan in unpaid wages, a worker would need to pay at least 920 yuan in various charges. He would also need between 11 and 21 working days to pursue his case, which could cost him between 550 yuan and 1,050 yuan. In addition, the cost to the community should include wages of government officials and court officials which cost between 1,950 yuan and 3,750 yuan. In all, the total cost of recovery would be between 3,420 yuan and 5,720 yuan.
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