Unidentified Man Working at Brick Factory? Wenchang, Hainan: Not a Person with Disabilities, No Evidence of Forced Labor Found

Beijing News Report: On March 15, the Wenchang City Human Resources and Social Security Bureau issued a situation update as follows:

At approximately 12:00 PM on March 14, 2026, our bureau received a video posted by a netizen claiming that an unidentified disabled person was working at the Longtoupo Brick Factory in Penglai Town, Wenchang City, Hainan Province. We immediately organized a task force including the Municipal Public Security Bureau, the Municipal Comprehensive Administrative Law Enforcement Bureau, the Wenchang Disabled Persons’ Federation, and the Penglai Town Government to conduct an investigation. The team promptly verified the situation at the brick factory. The details are as follows:

1. Basic Information

The man in the video is Cai Mousheng, a 45-year-old male from Mashan County, Guangxi. Due to local policies, his household registration has been canceled. Cai Mousheng previously relied on odd jobs to make a living and was homeless. Since December 2024, he has been working at the Longtoupo Brick Factory in Penglai Town.

According to Cai Mousheng, he has been working at the brick factory for over a year, responsible for sanitation, cleaning debris, and other miscellaneous tasks. During his free time, he voluntarily helps other workers. His wages are paid daily, at 150 yuan per day, with an average monthly income of 2,150 yuan. The factory foreman usually takes care of his daily needs, including meals and accommodation.

2. Investigation Findings

The investigation revealed that the brick factory in Penglai Town is named Wenchang Dongfang Anda Building Materials Co., Ltd. Since December 2024, the factory has employed Cai Mousheng in practice but has not signed a written labor contract with him, violating labor protection laws. We have ordered the factory to make immediate corrections and to comply with employment regulations.

Regarding wage payments, it was understood that Cai Mousheng, lacking identification, could not open a bank account. He entrusted the factory foreman, Li Moumou, to hold his wages and keep records. When he needed money, he would request cash from Li Moumou, who would record the expenditure (monthly expenses ranging from 200 to 700 yuan). Our verification of the bookkeeping records shows that as of March 14, 2026, Cai Mousheng still has 23,500 yuan in wages held by Li Moumou. The Public Security Bureau has issued a temporary ID for Cai Mousheng, and we have assisted him in opening a bank account. We are monitoring and urging the factory to pay all remaining wages by March 16 to ensure Cai Mousheng receives full compensation.

Regarding whether the factory employs disabled persons, on the afternoon of March 14, the Wenchang Disabled Persons’ Federation entered Cai Mousheng’s personal information into the national disabled persons’ information platform but found no disability registration record. During the on-site interview, Cai Mousheng appeared clear-minded, with normal behavior, fully mobile, but introverted and not fond of social interaction. On the afternoon of March 15, with his consent, officials from Penglai Town took Cai Mousheng to Wenchang City People’s Hospital for a comprehensive physical examination. The results showed he was conscious, with normal cognitive and language functions, no external injuries, stable bodily functions, and normal physiological indicators. He stated he has no disabilities. Based on these findings, it is preliminarily judged that Cai Mousheng is not a disabled person.

Regarding whether Cai Mousheng was subjected to forced labor or abuse during work, on the evening of March 14, Penglai Town officials reviewed surveillance footage from March 8 to March 14 (due to limited hard drive capacity, the factory’s surveillance system only retains videos for seven days). The factory has 20 surveillance cameras, and Cai Mousheng appears in only three of them, mainly in fixed work areas. No evidence was found of him participating in high-risk tasks, heavy physical labor, or specialized roles. There were no signs of forced labor, bullying, or insults. Interviews with fellow workers Yu Moumou and others in nearby dormitories confirmed that there were no reports of Cai Mousheng being verbally abused or mistreated. Cai Mousheng himself expressed that he voluntarily enjoys working and living at the factory, and there is no evidence of coercion.

The Public Security Bureau contacted Cai Mousheng’s elder brother, Cai Mouliang, who visited Penglai Police Station on the afternoon of March 15 to reunite with him. Cai Mouliang stated he plans to return to Mashan County, Guangxi, with his brother at a later date. We have informed Cai Mousheng and his brother of the investigation results and measures taken. Both expressed no objections and thanked us. Regarding the factory’s illegal employment practices, our bureau will conduct a comprehensive inspection of all local enterprises to further regulate employment practices and protect workers’ legal rights.

We appreciate the concern and support from netizens. We sincerely welcome continued supervision and support for our work.

Editor: Li Yilinzi