Update: More info has come forward, reported below
The Nokia and Microsoft deal is going well so far, with shareholders now also on board. However, it appears that not everyone approves the acquisition as some of Nokia's China workforce have gone on strike.
According to reports, hundreds of workers at a Chinese Nokia factory located in Dongguan, Guangdong Province have on strike. As shown in the above photo, they're holding up a large banner in protest, which reads "Workers are not simple merchandise, assets or slaves. Please do not sell us. We have DIGNITY and RIGHTS!"
This is actually not, or at least not directly, against the Microsoft deal. As part of the acquisition, Nokia factories will be transferred to Microsoft. It's believed colleagues in a Vietnam factory received financial compensation for their change of employment, and the Chinese workers are now protesting for the same treatment.
Nokia CEO, Stephen Elop
However, alternative sources speculate that the workers may be on strike because Nokia's factory in Dongguan has been temporarily put on hold, and workers are not satisfied with the overly reduced salary during this furlough period.
The news and pictures were published on Chinese social media website Sina Weibo by an employee at the Dongguan factory. Interestingly, the poster himself never said what exactly they are striking for, merely asking people to spread the word, and reposting news reports about this incident (with whatever speculation).
So far, neither side has backed down. The factory has issued formal warning to a long list of striking workers.
Update 12 PM ET: A source close to the situation has noted that no jobs have been lost through the Nokia / Microsoft deal. In addition, workers in Vietnam have not received any form of financial compensation, nor has their employment changed. Likewise, the factory in Guangdong Province is still operational. This seems to be a coordinated effort by some workers to take advantage of the change of employers and not necessarily a revolt of workers as portrayed in social media.
Sources: Sina Weibo, WPDang, iFeng
