China strives to improve social security for 210 mln migrant workers

Source: Xinhua | 03-07-2008 08:15

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- China's 210 million migrant workers living in urban centers are expected to enjoy greater social security services as the country will do more in these areas.

The country will ensure migrant workers get paid in full and on time, extend social security coverage to more of them and work out a suitable pension insurance system.

Such points were stated in the government work report Premier Wen Jiabao delivered at the opening of the First Session of the 11th National People's Congress, the country's top legislature.

Steps will also be taken to ensure children of migrant workers in cities enjoy the same access to compulsory education as others.

"What the premier said is just what we want," said Hu Xiaoyan, a migrant worker lawmaker attending the annual session.

A native of the southwestern Sichuan Province, Hu has been working in a building ceramics company in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, for five years.

Worrying about the high tuition fees in cities, Hu said she left behind her twin girls at home. They are studying at the primary school in her hometown village.

"What parent wouldn't want to take their children with them? But the reality is we cannot afford their schooling in cities."

Hu's dream of having her girls schooled in her current working place may come true in future.

Social security services, such as health care and old-age insurance, which are still problems for migrant workers, will also be offered.

"What the premier has pledged shows the government's determination and efforts to improve living and working conditions of migrant workers," said Tang Jun, a Chinese Academy of Social Sciences social policy researcher.

The improvement was inevitable with the country's economic and social development, he said.

Migrant laborers from rural areas are estimated to number around 210 million. They have become a pillar of the country's work force, but they face various problems, including pay arrears, work-place injury compensation, health care and their children's schooling.

In 2004, China began to tackle the problem of unpaid wages for migrant workers. Employers at many construction sites, for example, often delayed paying them with various excuses. With the government efforts in the past few years, the problem has been largely resolved.

In 2007, the central government ordered progress on migrant workers' insurance for workplace injuries and medical treatment for those with serious diseases.

Old-age insurance will also be available for migrant workers.

"It will be much better if all social services can go with us as we move from one area to another," said Fan Shusheng, a one-time farmer in central Henan Province who now works for a construction company in Beijing.

There have already been cases of migrant workers who withdrew from the social security schemes as these were not portable.

"The government has shown a clear attitude toward ensuring migrant workers' social security services," said social policy researcher Tang. "The key is what kinds of feasible, continuing polices will be drawn up and implemented."

Editor:Zhang Pengfei