An American company owner has spent his fifth day behind bars; held hostage by his own workers at a factory in Beijing, China.
A misunderstanding over wages has spiralled out of control as workers have been keeping boss Chip Starnes captive.
Fuelled by rumours that the entire plant was going to close, around 100 workers have refused to release the president of Florida-based Speciality Medical Supplies, and are demanding severance packages.
Yet Mr Starnes, 42, said he had no 'intention' of closing the factory.
'They were never told they were going to lose their jobs. It (the rumour) ran rampant and quickly spiralled out of control. It's a sad situation,' he said from a factory window.
The US executive has not been harmed during his time behind factory bars, but says he was intimidated and unhappy about the way locals treated him.
'I think disappointment is a really good word,' he added.
Local authorities have been seen standing outside the factory, which has been operating for nearly a decade, but have not put an end to the stand-off.
The rumours were sparked by news that 30 employees were laid off at the company's plastic division, which then moved to India to lower production costs.
Chu Lixiang, head of the Huairou labour union's rights and interests department, claims that Mr Starnes has not paid staff for two months.
- Metro
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