Feng Congsheng began shining pedestrian's shoes on a street in the southwestern province of Chongqing on November 20. But he's not doing it to make a living.

 

Feng Congsheng (R) shines shoes on a street in the southwestern province of Chongqing November 20, 2006. [Chongqing Evening News]

Feng, the manager of the Bishan sub-branch of a company which is an animal feed supplier wants to pay the 200,000 yuan the company owes in employee backpay, wrote the Chongqing Evening News on November 21.

Seven employees shined shoes alongside Feng.

Feng says in early 2006, the company planted some 60-hectares of southernwood, but after a severe drought not only lost the crop, but was unable to pay 200,000 yuan to workers and suffered a direct financial loss of one million yuan.

"I will shine shoes all over Chongqing," Feng said.

But his ambitions seem unpopular among workers.

According to the paper, three workers left Feng to shine shoes on his own.

Feng's motives have caused both sympathy and suspicion.

"As a former employee that was laid-off, I sympathize with Feng, and am moved by what he is doing," customer Zhong Yulan told the paper.

Others echoed Zhong's sentiments.

"I prefer to help those in trouble," said another customer.

However, several women on Feng's team drew suspicion from other citizens.

"They always shine shoes on this street," an unnamed security guard told the paper, saying that they were taking advantage of people's sympathy.

Chen Ying said she joined Feng's company this June, but the sustained drought smashed her dream of a stable job.

"I have no other choice but to shine shoes," Chen said.

"Feng has promised to pay me my five-month's salary, so I had to follow him to shine shoes," Chen told the paper when asked why she didn't shine shoes alone.

Employees at the head office of Feng's company confirmed he is the manager of the Bishan sub-branch, but that his shining shoes is a personal choice and he didn't inform the head office about it.

Feng defended his move, saying the work is intended to inspire confidence in his employees.

"I cannot control others. Cleaning shoes is not cheating because I'm making money through hard work," Feng said.

"I have not told the head office what I am doing, because the employees following me belong to the sub-branch company. They are familiar with the environment here and we plan to go on shining shoes throughout the province."

Feng said the money from shining shoes is far from enough.

"I'm relying on others' sympathy to get through this tough time," Feng said.