China is transforming in the last thirty years in an unknown speed, however, the social tissue and labour relations suffer a lot. Affected are not only some 250 million migrant workers but most others as well. The Chinese trade unions are not autonomous, no right to strike and very weak in defending workers rights. There are some 130,000 revolts every year for lost income, non-respect of workers rights, going as far as killing managers and entrepreneurs on the one hand, and oppression and killings of workers on the other. Some enlightened scientists and union leaders call for action to create real trade unions with full rights. The Guangzhou Trade Union Confederation helped in 2007 establish the first trade union of migrant workers for construction workers. And the same Confederation organised the first International Scientific Symposium on Labour Relations & Labour Rights under Global Recession in November 2009.

Keywords : Labour relation, Migrant workers, trade unions