Michael Morrah talking to a former Shen Yun dancer who claims the company is exploiting and mistreating its performers.

A former performer for a global dance troupe touring New Zealand has likened the organisation’s business model to “human trafficking” with dancers’ passports taken and little pay for punishing hours.

New York-based Shen Yun, which has live performances at the Aotea Centre’s Kiri Te Kanawa Centre in Auckland on february 22-23, markets itself as an unmissable spectacle that celebrates Chinese culture.

But a man who spent seven years immersed in Shen Yun claimed that behind the marketing hype is a controlling and manipulative organisation, where young performers are “used”.

“They’re using us as free labour around the world to make money. I think that is the definition of human trafficking,” he said.

The man, who feared a backlash and asked to remain anonymous, claimed he was deprived of access to medical care while under Shen Yun’s control – allegations that have been denied by the organisation.

“I did not see a doctor or a single pill of medicine whatsoever. Inevitably you’ll get sick, or you get injured, but you were never treated,” he said.

Advertisements for the Shen Yun dance show outside the Aotea Centre’s Kiri Te Kanawa Centre in Auckland. Photo / Ben Dickens

The Herald’s source, who lives in Auckland, denied any links to the Chinese government.

He said he felt “tortured” by the gruelling training regime, claiming there were no public holidays and pay was irregular.

He claimed he and others would be belittled publicly in front of their peers if they made minor mistakes or stepped out of line.

“I feel like it’s important for people to know what this performance is really about, what’s really hidden behind the curtains,” he said.

He said he’d “sometimes” get between $100 and $500 a month for his contribution to the production which tours globally.

He’s not alone in his concerns. The New York Times has run a series of articles alleging young performers were emotionally abused, exploited and left with untreated injuries.

New York labour inspectors are investigating. The publication has also reported Shen Yun is being scrutinised over possible visa fraud.

The Herald’s whistle-blower said contact outside the dance group’s headquarters was limited, and personal smartphones weren’t allowed.

He claimed that phone calls he did make to his parents were monitored by seniors in the group to make sure “you say everything that you’re supposed to say”.

Who runs Shen Yun?

The Shen Yun dance show is an offshoot of cult movement Falun Gong which was banned in China in 1999. The Chinese Government labelled the movement an evil cult.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, was founded by Li Hongzhi who fled to New York – known as Dragon Springs – on the outskirts of New York City.

Shen Yun dancers train at the sprawling Falun Gong headquarters, which is surrounded by security guards and CCTV cameras.

Li Hongzhi, known to followers as “master”, has courted controversy for his often-bizarre public statements.

According to a speech he made in 1998, Hongzhi believes aliens are preparing to replace humans. He spoke of the dangers of mixed-race people and homosexuality which he said, “damage human society’s moral code”.

During a lecture in Sydney, he downplayed the importance of medicine and surgical intervention.

Source Link: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/a-former-dancer-for-the-global-chinese-dance-group-shen-yun-alleges-exploitation-and-harsh-conditions/M4HF6VHP3ZEGDIUNRYQ5L5WOWY/