The Supreme People's Court (SPC) held a press conference on Dec 23, presenting its efforts in safeguarding labor rights and interests in accordance with the law. Typical cases of unpaid wages and labor disputes in new forms of employment were released at the conference. 

SPC data revealed that, from January to November, courts across the country handled 590,000 first-instance labor dispute cases, and concluded approximately 80,000 civil cases related to new forms of employment. By mid-December, the amount of funds paid in enforcement of court judgments involving migrant workers reached 1.72 billion yuan ($235 million).

Speaking at the news conference, He Xiaorong, vice-president of the SPC, outlined the court’s efforts in promoting diversified solutions to labor disputes. "Safeguarding labor rights and interests in accordance with the law is a systematic project, and only through concerted efforts can the best results be achieved," said He. 

The SPC has launched a special campaign running from November to the Chinese New Year, which mainly addresses issues of unpaid wages in construction projects, especially those of government and State-owned enterprises, to enhance the enforcement of cases in this area and ensure that related funds are paid to workers before the Spring Festival holiday.

Chen Yifang, chief judge of the SPC’s First Civil Division, presented nine typical cases of wage disputes at the conference to further clarify judicial rules, promote inter-departmental cooperation, facilitate diverse dispute resolution and strengthen collaborative governance. 

"In the process of resolving unpaid wage disputes, it is necessary to balance promoting the development of market entities with safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of workers,” said Chen. 

“By distinguishing the subjective fault of the employers involved in the wage disputes, harmful consequences and expected solutions thereof, we aim to help them stabilize employment, ensure the payment of basic wages, and effectively resolve the disputes," Chen added.

Chen also highlighted the strengthened inter-departmental collaboration involving the SPC, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and other relevant departments to further improve mechanisms for prevention and resolution of labor disputes, mobilize resources from all parties, and resolve conflicts at early stages.

Several guiding cases on labor disputes in new forms of employment were also unveiled at the news conference, involving groups such as delivery drivers, online streamers and designated drivers. This is the first time the SPC has dedicated a special issue to guiding cases in the area.

From 2020 to 2024, courts nationwide have handled approximately 420,000 civil cases related to disputes in new forms of employment.

The SPC will effectively enhance the guidance on adjudication of civil cases involving new forms of employment. It will focus on prominent issues identified in judicial practice such as occupational injury insurance and liability for harm caused by workers, and will continuously develop, select and release typical cases to promote the issuance of relevant judicial interpretations, according to the news conference.