This situation does not surprise me.Obviously the governments of those involved must step in to at least get these people out of China.Forget all thought of being paid.

This should serve as a cautionary tale to all those who go to live and work overseas and especially in such dysfunctional societies as China.
Even tourists can get caught up in all sorts of crazy behaviour.

The risks aren't worth it.Just don't go there.

Doesn't sound like you have lived in Shanghai, Manorina. There is a little craziness to Chinese society, although not as much maybe as they would find here. There a lot of westerners living there, contributing and really enjoying the life in a city of 20 million whose customs and lifestyle are fascinating. It also sounds like they have better rules for looking after the workers in these situations than Australia does. Here we just say – pay all the debtors first as far as possible, but for the workers it usually seems to be - so sad, too bad.

Poll clerk,

Are you serious? are you really suggesting that those at the bottom of Chinese society are better off than in Australia? I don't think it is wise to take one piece of info (creditors giving preference over shareholders which is yet to be passed by parliament) to make such a sweeping statement. The joke that is Rudd and Labor is another story.

Cireena,
True to my nature, platitudes mean little in this situation.
So I've stirred the pot a little ....ok, quite a bit.
I hope it has been sufficient to get something happening for the people involved. Expect contact. No email addresses given, Just the story.

Clearly I find this situation concerning.

To my mind this is why we have consulates, news papers, politicians etc.

I have to admit that this is confirmation of why I resisted overseas postings in the past. The odds are against being a victim but...it is little comfort knowing you are the one in 3000000 chance victim.
Best wishes for the people involved

I wasn’t suggesting that life in China is better than life in Australia Mr Lewis, just that it is not as black and white as you might guess if you haven’t lived there. Life at the bottom in China is not good as it is not for homeless in Australia. Chinese who want to exercise freedoms we take for granted certainly quickly run into serious problems, but most of them aren’t trying to push Chinese Government boundaries. Twenty million people seemed to go about their daily business cheerfully. Where I lived there were super expensive apartment blocks within 2 kms and also areas we would call slums, but were probably one step above that for Shanghai. I just didn’t hear about much crime or see any sign of it. I was much more comfortable walking home in Shanghai at 2.00am than I am in Australia past drinking spots in major cities at that time of morning, where violence almost seems to be the norm. Enough from me.