Yu Dynasty Yingdala (4338-4636)

[Wu Han]

Wu Hán, Lotus Party, Tours Manufacturing Plants in Shu Province
Opposition Leader Responds to Yukinari Plant Closure, Lambasts Government Mismanagement
LAZHOU, SHU - 9 December 4255


Lotus Party Leader Wu Hán Speaks to Reporters Outside the Tàiyáng Motor Company Factory in Lazhao, Shu

On the 6th of December, 4255, it was announced that the Sekowan car-maker Yukinari would be closing its Hazhou plant. This news has come as a devastating blow to the local community which heavily relies on the plant economically, and has for many generations. 1 in 4 jobs in Hazhou is directly or indirectly tied to the plant. The Indralan Transport Workers Union (ITWU) and Wen Bataru of the Nationalist Party responded that day to the news, denouncing the government's extreme reforms of employment law. The Lotus Party immediately put out a statement following the report, criticizing the government for its "laissez-faire, we-don't-care approach to the livelihoods of Indralans."

Today, the Lotus Party leader Wu Hán traveled to Lazhao, Shu Province, to tour the Tàiyáng Automotive Plant, which opened six years ago. Tàiyáng Automotive is an Indralan-owned electric and hybrid vehicle manufacturer which until last year was preparing to expand its production lines. The CEO and founder of the Company, Gao Zemin, speaking to the Indralan Transport Workers Union (ITWU) at their last General Congress in February 4254, said that "due to the government's reluctance to support our industry through tax-incentives and tariff free market access, Tàiyáng has had a weight tied to its ankle, while cheaper foreign cars flood the market. We will not be able to compete if things keep going this way."

After touring the plant, Wu Hán spoke to reporters outside and lambasted the government's management of the economy:

Indralans are an innovative and entrepreneurial people and their government should be there to help them reach their fullest potential, not hold them back. This government has consistently and irresponsibly created market conditions in Indrala which favour foreign investment and foreign companies. Take Tàiyáng, for example. This is a wonderful plant which I have had the opportunity to see today. Tàiyáng is very far ahead in terms of green tech compared to inferior foreign companies, and is an example of a high-paying and sustainable employer which will lead the way in the market of tomorrow. It is so very tragic that due to the government's mismanagement this company may not be here to provide jobs to the community, and world class products to the market. We will fight today in the National Conference, and tomorrow as your government, for the prosperity and success of Indrala. We will introduce legislation shortly to try and urge the government to support the industry.

On the Yukinari Plant closure, Wu had this to say:

Whenever I hear of a firm closing in Indrala my immediate question is always, 'exactly who is going to be affected?' When people lost their jobs in Kaizhou, when I was mayor, I made sure that I knew their names, so that I could be sure they were taken care of. It's hard to know exactly how many people will be affected by this plant closure since it has been such a pillar of the community for so long. I hope that the Chief Minister is thinking about these earnest people and working harder than ever before on a plan to get them back to work. It's hard to tell in Tian'an, but out here, people are really hurting, and they expect their government to be there for them.

The Times of Yingdala has received reports from unconfirmed sources within the Lotus Party that officials within the party have begun drafting coalition terms to propose to either the Nationalist Party or the National Democrats. It has been reported that Wen Bataru of the Nationalist Party and Wu Hán have begun to hold discussions to this end.

---

Originally posted by Wu Han on 12 August 2017.