My guess is the real estate boom in China (bubble to some) is also driving the labor problems in China. And add to this the ability of workers through the Internet to learn from other labor protests that succeed and also to find out the wages paid overseas for similar work. The rise in the Yuan is also probably related.

References:

China's housing boom spells trouble for boyfriends - LA Times

As China Aids Labor, Unrest Is Still Rising - NY Times

U.S. Stocks Rise on China Currency News - NY Times

Labels: made in china, US Chinese Image