Laid-off workers have been protesting with uncommon determination, and there has been a drive to unionize foreign companies – even union-busting Walmart has been forced to grant recognition.

A group of Beijing and Hangzhou students recently stirred up a minor media storm by going under cover to expose Coca Cola's use of outsourcing and agency staff to evade labor regulations and impose wage cuts and longer hours in their bottling plants.

Migrant workers have for years faced familiar problems of casual work, lack of formal contracts, low pay, late payment or non-payment of wages, unscrupulous and dishonest bosses. Today's festival is a sign that they are beginning to stand up for their rights.