A United States-based human rights group says dissidents in China are forming an independent labour party to campaign on behalf of workers.

The Free China Movement said the party would also take up the interests of those workers who'd lost their jobs, and protect their rights.

But it would not compete with China's ruling Communist Party.

In recent weeks, leaders of another opposition party, the China Democracy Party have been jailed for attempting to defend the rights of workers.

Correspondents say the crackdown has prompted dissidents in China and in exile to protest and demand the release of jailed pro-democracy campaigners.