About this episode
On this day, 7 June 1948 Chinese indentured phosphate miners on Nauru protested when a ship came to take them back to China, but they demanded part of their pay.
The workers charged that Chinese interpreters who controlled the community funds would not pay out their share of contributions. Police attempted to arrest one Chinese worker, after which the other miners barricaded themselves into their settlement. The Pacific Islands Monthly journal claimed that the workers "built barricades, armed themselves with spears, clubs and axes, and showered stones upon officials who approached them."
The Administration, run by Australia on behalf of the United Nations, responded by declaring a state of emergency and bringing in riot police. Police attacked the settlement, killing two and injuring 16 Chinese miners. They also arrested 49 people, two of whom were bayoneted to death in custody.
The killer of the workers in custody was charged with unlawful killing but later acquitted. In contrast, the surviving 47 Chinese workers were convicted of offences including extortion and rioting, and deported.
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/7982/Nauru-Chinese-workers-protest
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
The workers charged that Chinese interpreters who controlled the community funds would not pay out their share of contributions. Police attempted to arrest one Chinese worker, after which the other miners barricaded themselves into their settlement. The Pacific Islands Monthly journal claimed that the workers "built barricades, armed themselves with spears, clubs and axes, and showered stones upon officials who approached them."
The Administration, run by Australia on behalf of the United Nations, responded by declaring a state of emergency and bringing in riot police. Police attacked the settlement, killing two and injuring 16 Chinese miners. They also arrested 49 people, two of whom were bayoneted to death in custody.
The killer of the workers in custody was charged with unlawful killing but later acquitted. In contrast, the surviving 47 Chinese workers were convicted of offences including extortion and rioting, and deported.
More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/7982/Nauru-Chinese-workers-protest
Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.
- See all of our anniversaries each day, alongside sources and maps on the On This Day section of our Stories app: stories.workingclasshistory.com/date/today
- Browse all Stories by Date here on the Date index: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/date
- Check out our Map of historical Stories: https://map.workingclasshistory.com
- Check out books, posters, clothing and more in our online store, here: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com
- If you enjoy this podcast, make sure to check out our flagship longform podcast, Working Class History
Get every episode summarized
Each time On This Day in Working Class History publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.
Email me new episodesFree for 3 shows. No card needed.
Hosts & guests
No transcript yet
This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.
More episodes
More from On This Day in Working Class History
13 September 1943: Belle Vue Harel strike
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 13, 20262:06completed
12 September 2012: Georgia prison protests
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 12, 20261:41completed
11 September 2017: Kenya taxi strike
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 11, 20261:32completed
10 September 1979: McDonald's strikers win
On This Day in Working Class History
Sep 10, 20260:54completed