A Chinese villager, fleeing fame after an encounter with Premier Wen Jiabao brought instant repayment of her husband's back wages, is starting a pig farm.
Xiong Deming rose to celebrity status in the southwest province of Sichuan in October last year during the premier's inspection trip to the province. After she was brave enough to complain to Wen that her husband had not been paid in many months, the money was paid the same day.
The constant flow of hundreds of migrant workers in similar plights seeking her help, coupled with the jealousy of neighbors, caused Xiong and her husband Li Jianmin to leave their home in March, the South China Morning Post reported Monday.
Xiong found a job as a factory manager in the region's major city, Chongqing, where she had to ensure that workers wore proper safety gear. Pressured by rule-breakers to waive their fines, she found the work too stressful.
Xiong and her husband plan to return to her hometown in Yunyang this week and start a pig farm with money she earned in the city and a government loan.
© Copyright 2004 by United Press International
