A real estate developer in Weinan, Shaanxi province, spent 1.3 million yuan ($209,000) to invite film star Cecilia Cheung to an event but did not pay his workers their wages. After the workers knelt down in desperation did he pay them their hard earned money. The authorities have to implement stricter regulations to ensure employers pay their employees in time. And celebrities should stay away from attending events organized by unscrupulous businessmen and instead help workers get their hard earned money, says an article in Guangzhou Daily. Excerpts:

The news of the realty developer spending more than a million yuan on a star but refusing to pay his workers their wages has outraged society. He invited the celebrity to draw greater attention to his company and thus make more profit.

Lack of proper information prevents us from concluding that the real estate employer withheld his employees' pay despite having enough money in his coffer.

Migrant workers are denied their due because they don't have the power to demand their salaries or sue their employers in court. And public sympathy is far from enough to get workers their wages in time. Therefore, we need strict rules to ensure that employers pay their workers in time.

Celebrities, on their part, should speak out in favor of migrant workers, demanding their salaries are paid in time and they should boycott star galas organized by dubious employers. This will not only enhance their image among the public, but also help many workers get their hard earned money.

And public opinion should shift from moral exclamation to active support for migrant workers to get their salaries in time.

(China Daily 01/16/2013 page9)