A lawyer was beaten and held hostage for two hours at a Shanghai printing firm after he went to investigate a work injury case, the Legal Daily reported on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old lawyer, He Wei, was acting as legal counsel for Zhang Xiufang, 17, who lost three fingers while operating a machine at the Fuwei Printing Firm in April, said the newspaper which is affiliated with the Ministry of Justice.

Zhang was denied compensation beyond her medical expenses and her boss suspended her boarding subsidy. Desperate, Zhang turned to He's law firm for help last week.

He agreed to provide free counseling for the girl who comes from the poor countryside of east China's Anhui Province.

When they arrived at the print shop, Zhang's boss confronted the pair.

He was beaten by the boss and six of his men. Zhang managed to escape and called the police who found him covered in blood and suffering a broken eardrum.

It is not unusual for lawyers in China to be harassed when they conduct investigation on behalf of the disadvantage. In Shanghai, more than 50 lawyers reported being beaten or receiving threats since 2002, the paper said.

Zhu Hongchao, deputy director of Shanghai Lawyers Association, said he was filing documents with the government calling for safer working conditions for lawyers.

"The basic rights of lawyers should at least be guaranteed, and the government must enhance the protection of lawyers," Zhu was quoted as saying.

He has filed a complaint with the police about his beating and they are investigating.

(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2006)