Incitement of shelter hospital workers to strike, extorting compensation from dispatch companies
[4] Compiled from: Red Star News
[2] Recently, Songjiang police successfully handled a case of epidemic-related extortion, and eight suspects including Lin (male, 24) have been taken criminal compulsory measures according to law.
Case review
[3] According to police reports, on April 30, Songjiang police received a report that Lin and others, after working in a Fangcang shelter for only three days, instigated coworkers to "strike" using reasons such as high work intensity and poor accommodation conditions, threatened to jump off a building to force the labor dispatch company to terminate labor contracts, and demanded compensation of over 30,000 yuan per person. During the investigation, police found that in mid-April, the group had successfully extorted over 40,000 yuan from another Fangcang shelter in a different district using similar methods, prompting police to track them down.
[4] Investigation revealed that suspect Lin confessed to colluding with Li (male, 23) and others to specifically apply for jobs at Fangcang shelters. They agreed beforehand that after working for a few days, they would demand termination of labor contracts from the labor dispatch company citing "poor accommodation and high work intensity," and seek high isolation fees. If the company refused, they would use extreme means to force compensation. After entering the shelter on April 24, they worked only three days before starting to cause trouble daily, threatening the company to pay compensation, eventually threatening to jump off a building, leading to police summons. Currently, eight suspects including Lin and Li have been taken criminal compulsory measures by Songjiang police, and the case is under further investigation.
"Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China"
[5] Article 274: Crime of Extortion
Whoever extorts public or private property, if the amount is relatively large or if extortion occurs multiple times, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention, or public surveillance, and shall also, or shall only, be fined; if the amount is huge or if there are other serious circumstances, the sentence shall be fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years, and a fine; if the amount is especially huge or if there are other especially serious circumstances, the sentence shall be fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years, and a fine.
[1] The author's perspective
In this case, the extortion gang replicated the same tactic, again inciting workers at the makeshift hospital to "strike," thereby threatening the construction unit to extort property. This not only severely hindered the construction process but also had a serious adverse impact on epidemic prevention efforts, which is intolerable from any perspective of reason, morality, or law.
Currently, the entire nation is united in strict epidemic prevention, yet there are always criminals seeking to seize opportunities, exploit legal loopholes, and pursue personal gain. Apart from this incident, common examples include fraudulent calls impersonating epidemic prevention personnel, merchants and vendors inflating prices, and lawbreakers who fail to comply with epidemic prevention regulations. To prevent such illegal and criminal acts, in addition to strict crackdowns by relevant authorities, it is also necessary to enhance the public's awareness of epidemic prevention. It must be clearly understood that only by standing together can we safely get through this extraordinary period, and only by effectively maintaining epidemic prevention and control and social order can we truly protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people and ensure their personal and property safety.
