Chinese police hauled away dozens of workers yesterday to break up a march by tens of thousands of striking labourers at Yue Yuen Industrial, the world’s largest shoe manufacturing contractor.

More than 40,000 people went on strike this week against the firm, bringing production to a halt at the factory, which makes shoes for world brands including Nike and Adidas.

They’ve been striking in increasing numbers in on-off stoppages since April 5 and the walkouts have been steadily growing.