Migrant workers make higher demands

The latest survey by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security shows that the demand for industrial workers is increasing. But migrant workers are increasingly reluctant to work outside their hometowns.

Wednesday's survey found there is a 15% increase for industrial workers this year over 2009, but only 60% of the migrant workers surveyed say they would like to continue their jobs away from home.

Ming Hong, director of Min. of Human Resources, social Security, said, "Nearly 40% of the migrant workers would stay in their hometown and 8% of them won't leave their hometown to work. A quarter of the migrant workers who don't want to go out to work any more say it's because the salary is low."

Among those who would still work outside their hometown, a quarter of them say they won't go back to their original jobs.

That's because the salary is too low, there's too much overtime work, and no career development.

Mo Rong, official of Min. of Human Resources, social Security, said, "Our surveys including this one show, the most important factor is salary, which has a leverage effect."

Both the surveyed employees and workers agree on one thing: there will be an increase in salary this year.

Factories expect to increase pay by nine per cent, while migrant workers are expecting an extra five per cent on top of that.