Society

Workers back from Libya to be paid on time

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-03-02 14:34

GUANGZHOU - About 100 Chinese construction workers protesting at an airport in South China Tuesday for not being paid on time were on their way home to Henan province Wednesday morning, after they reached agreement with their employer.

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The workers returned to China on chartered flights from Libya, arriving at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport on Tuesday. They refused to leave the airport for fear that their wages would not be paid.

The workers said the employer - Hunan Tianying Construction Co Ltd based in central Hunan province had withheld 15,000 yuan (about $2,282 ) of salary per worker for their work in Libya.

Although the company had promised to pay the money within two weeks after they returned, the workers worried the company might break its promise.

Authorities in Guangdong and Henan provinces on Tuesday mediated an outcome which saw the company provide a letter of commitment to pay the delayed wages. The letter was signed by vice general manager of the company Mao Xiange. The county government of Xinxian, Henan province, where most of the workers are from, also promised to help settle the issue.

The workers were sent home on three coaches provided by the Baiyun airport.