CHAPTER 1792: CHAPTER 1853: WAGE DISPUTE INCIDENT

The crowd was getting more and more intense, with many people starting to curse. Li Yifei didn’t even need to ask to understand the cause of the issue.

It was related to a new project recently developed by Handing Group, a regular residential community located in the suburbs. This project was in line with a certain government policy aimed at benefiting the public and was specifically allocated to Handing Group. Naturally, Handing Group qualified in various aspects to secure this project. The construction had been underway for half a year now, from demolition to groundbreaking. Half of the buildings were already completed, and in a few more months, the project could be finalized.

However, somehow, Handing Group hadn’t paid wages for two consecutive months. Today, over a hundred migrant workers who were owed two months’ wages came here to demand their pay.

Each worker earned three to four thousand a month, which isn’t much. Oftentimes, to meet deadlines, they had to work overnight and endure the scorching sun during the day. Most of the work involved heavy manual labor, while the food was poor and the living conditions even worse. Exhausting themselves for a day barely earned them more than a hundred yuan, which isn’t much, pitifully low even. Yet, many would still come to work during the farming off-season because their families needed the money to cover household expenses and improve living conditions. But now, with no wages being paid, how could they not be anxious?

Li Yifei found a brother around fifty years old. This brother’s face was tanned and dark, his body thin, and was now looking worriedly at the tightly closed main gate with his murky eyes full of sorrow and anguish.

Being unpaid for two months actually happens quite frequently on construction sites. Still, they were worried because they couldn’t find anyone responsible. The usual on-site managers, called foremen and supervisors, were here too, accompanying them today. They also couldn’t find anyone responsible from the Handing Construction Group.

Without anyone in charge, there was nobody to tell them when exactly the wages would be paid. So today, they collectively went on strike, came from the site, and blocked people here.

They had been blocking for several hours, but no one had shown up.

Li Yifei whispered, "Brother, why haven’t you been paid?"

The brother turned, scrutinizing Li Yifei with some vigilance. Li Yifei smiled and said, "I just happened to be passing by and am curious."

"Why? The first month they said the Group’s funds were undergoing procedures and asked us to wait, so we did. Later, when the foreman inquired, the other side suggested that since it was already delayed, they might as well pay two months together to save trouble, so we continued working. When it was time for the second-month payment, the other side was all set to meet with the bank to withdraw money. They promised to pay us immediately once the money was withdrawn. But damn, a few days later, that bastard disappeared, and the phone was off. Went to his place, and he wasn’t there either!"

Upon hearing this, a few other migrant workers joined in. One of them, looking older than Li Yifei, replied, "Damn him, I think that son of a bitch has run away with the money. Damn it, nothing’s easy these days, and not even working is reliable."

"At least give us an explanation. I don’t believe such a large Group has no money, not even showing face. Do they have to wait for us to smash the place before they come out?"

"Exactly, what kind of society do we live in? Even the Premier said migrant workers’ wages should not be delayed, but these bastards just won’t listen."

As he spoke, a foreman-like individual walked over, glanced at Li Yifei without acknowledging him, and said to the others, "Get ready, damn it, if no one shows up, we’ll just smash the place. Screw it!"

The foreman’s words immediately resonated with the other workers. They’ve been holding back for days and, baking in the sun today, their anger was even greater. The foreman’s words were just a spark ready to ignite the situation.

Li Yifei hurriedly interjected, "Smashing things won’t work. Doing so could escalate matters. Even if you get your money in the end, you might not be able to work here anymore. Not to mention, destroying public property is illegal, you know. Getting locked up for a few days afterward really wouldn’t be worth it."

As soon as Li Yifei spoke, several people turned back. The foreman, with a rather unfriendly look, eyed Li Yifei and grumbled, "Who are you? What the **** are you doing here?"

Li Yifei smiled without losing his temper and said, "I’m just curious, came over to take a look, nothing more."

"If you’re bored and want to watch the drama, keep your distance. Why come so close? We’re here for wages. Damn these heartless bosses for not paying us. Are we supposed to keep working for free? If there’s no resolution today, we’ll have to smash the place. What’s breaking the law compared to delaying wages, huh? Let’s see who ends up behind bars!"

Though rough in speech, the person was indeed bold. Li Yifei didn’t plan to argue with him, just smiled slightly while lowering his gaze. The foreman snorted and continued walking inside to inform the others.

This is really urgent, Li Yifei thought. Just then, he felt someone tugging at his clothes. Turning, he saw the elder brother from before. Seeing him turn, the brother said, "Alright, young man, it’s best you go. If things get chaotic later, accidents aren’t impossible, and if you get unintentionally hurt, that wouldn’t be good. If you want to watch, watch from a distance."

Li Yifei raised an eyebrow, puzzled, and asked, "You don’t seriously plan to make this a big issue, do you? I mean, I’ve heard of places where they’ve owed wages for half a year, yet they didn’t make a big fuss."

"Not necessarily. There was a time I was owed for two years. But this time is different. We heard a rumor that it’s not because Handing Group lacks money, but that the money’s been used elsewhere."

"Hmm? Misappropriation?"

"More than misappropriation. I heard there’s an internal issue within the Group, and a large sum is missing. Whatever, I don’t care where the money’s gone. As long as it didn’t land in my pocket, it’s got nothing to do with me. What’s owed to me must be paid; otherwise, it’ll cause a scene, and let’s see who will bear the consequences. Right now, the whole country’s focused on maintaining stability. Handing Group dares to act in defiance, so they shouldn’t fear us causing a ruckus." The younger brother speaking unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a robust chest, exuding a fierce aura.

His words were crude, but they made some sense. Current state policies indeed offer more protection to those at the grassroots level.

Li Yifei’s frown deepened. He didn’t quite believe these few people’s claims. Moreover, even if there were indeed financial issues, how could such matters leak so easily? Furthermore, he had been home for a few days already, and Handing Group, being a subsidiary under the Li family, located right in Mile City, could almost be described as directly under their eyes. If such a major issue occurred, why was his family unaware? Li Yifei hadn’t heard the women at home mention anything about it either.

This matter is truly suspicious! Li Yifei thought to himself.