Chinese law experts have pointed out that it is illegal for foreign enterprises in China to refuse to set up labour unions.

The experts said setting-up labour unions will not only safeguard the workers' rights, but will also protect investors' interests.

There are now about 500,000 foreign-invested enterprises in China, most of which have not yet set up labour unions. Laws in China mandate enterprises in China must all set up labour unions and the workers have the right to join them.

Law professor from China Renmin University Guan Huai says some foreign enterprises oppose labour unions because they think workers set up unions to "work against them".

He says the labour unions can supervise and coordinate the relations between workers and employers and they are set up not for conflicts but for balance.

He notes foreign enterprises will be punished according to Chinese laws if they continue to stop or hinder workers from joining labour unions.

Source: CRI news