Thousands of workers protest over unpaid social benefits in China

Tens of thousands of workers were on strike at a shoe factory in south China's Guangdong province. About 600 workers from the footwear maker Yue Yuen, first stormed onto the streets on April 5, blocking roads and demanding that social insurance and housing funds be fully paid.

After failed negotiations with management, more workers joined what became a massive strike since the beginning of this week. The company has initiated a cash award to encourage workers to return to their posts according to a senior company executive.

Talks between workers and management are ongoing and the local government has intervened. The strike at the partly Taiwan-owned factory, which makes shoes for Nike and Adidas is believed to have exposed loopholes in the country's social security scheme and the growing pressure on manufacturers to keep up with rising labor costs.