Handy English / Bad English pocket dictionary

Here's an interesting story about how the new Chinese labor law is affecting factories:

The law -- designed to combat forced labor, withholding of pay, unwarranted dismissals and other abuses -- represents a major victory for Chinese workers who for decades have complained of companies that would stop at nothing to wring out profits. It has prompted legions of workers in recent months to become bolder about quitting and about staging strikes to demand improvements in work conditions and wages.

Wow, the Chinese government doing something I really like and approve of? Screwing over their buddies on behalf of the powerless? (Hmm, maybe t has to do with the fact that the law was made by the more bureaucracy-centered Beijing faction, but mostly hurts the economic base of the more business-based Shanghai/Guangzhou faction...)

Anyway, let's see what the Chinese factory owners have to say about this. I'll try to translate as best I can:

"The new labor law is to protect the lazy," said Huang Chuangji, the deputy director of the Dongguan Private Enterprises Association.

Translation: "Back to work, b**ches! "
(Note that Huang Chuangji almost certainly got his factory through local party connections...)

Stanley Lau, deputy chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, said the law requires too much of companies too soon. "With the new labor-contract law, all the principals of the factories will have big problems. Their burden is getting heavier and heavier," he said.

Translation: "The only way we can compete is by overworking these b**ches and paying them dirt wages."

Nicholas Kwan, regional head of research for Standard Chartered Asia, is less concerned. He said some companies are already finding ways to get around the new law. "They will lay off the existing workers and rehire afterwards. Or employ someone else with less pension burden. There are a lot of techniques that companies are using."

Translation: "Don't worry, we'll figure out a way to get around your silly rule and bring those wages back down."

"There used to be a harmonious and stable relationship between employers and employees, but now we are all at a loss," said Zhao Weinan, secretary general of the Dongguan Taiwan Business Association.

Translation: "Where my b**ches at?"
("Harmonious" = "You are my b**ch")

Zhao blamed the new labor law for recent incidents of civil unrest, saying that the law has led to some misunderstandings.

Translation: "You apparently misunderstand that you exist to be my b**ch."

"Most people consider the new labor law a law that protects only the interest of employees, but not protecting enough the interest of enterprise investors. This is in fact a misunderstanding. The new labor-law articles not only protect the interest and rights of employees, but also regulate their responsibilities," said Cai Kang, vice director of the Dongguan Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation.

Translation: "NO, little factory owner, it is YOU who are the government's b**ch!"

"This time I want to find a new company with a good environment," said Liu, 34, who has spent more than a decade working in the Pearl River Delta's factories. "Now it's not the factories choosing me. It's me choosing the factory."

Translation: "We ain't yo b**ch no mo, b**ch!"