Approximately 5,000 workers at a Stella Footwear Factory in Dongguan are on strike following accusations management is refusing to pay workers government-mandated housing payments. The factory, which makes shoes for popular brands such as Reebok, Nine West and Nike, was joined by workers from its sister factory, Xingxiong, who are striking in solidarity.

As the photographs demonstrate, the protests have been met with a heavy police presence. Workers can be seen wearing orange and blue worksuits, blocking the street outside the factory, while police are equipped with riot shields and truncheons.

One worker named Liu told China Labor Watch that a number of workers were struck by cars pushing their way through the crowd during a particularly tense moment, while others were allegedly attacked by police dogs. Liu also said that Stella management told workers that it would only pay into the housing fund for employees who have purchased or are renting in Dongguan, contrary to government guidelines.

A long-time manufacturing base, Dongguan has seen its share of labor strife. Last year’s Yue Yuan shoe factory strike saw up to 15,000 workers go on strike. The government eventually ordered Yue Yuan to pay tens of millions of yuan in unpaid housing and social insurance payments to 48,000 of its employees.