The Migrant Workers of the City
A migrant worker in Chengdu poses beside a picture of the son he left behind. (Xinhua. A migrant)
Our world is filled with scientists, educators, and businessmen. There is also a group of people that do not get recognized as much, and those are the migrant workers. If one were to ask a child what they want to be when they grow up, chances are that they would want to be firemen, policemen, or doctors. It is highly unlikely that kids will say, "I want to be a migrant worker when I grow up!"
These workers may be hidden away in the shadows, but it certainly isn't easy for them to live the way they currently are. There is a lot of pressure put on these migrant workers, and the children aren't the only ones depending on them. The elderly also depend heavily upon these workers to provide their most basic needs. These workers have an average salary of 1,690 RMB (266.26 US Dollars) per month (Li, Yancheng). That wage is barely enough for them to support themselves. The average Chinese citizen spends around 4,000 yuan (635.17 US Dollars) per month, and that does not include lodging (KSWONG). Above all of the expenditures/wages, there is always a risk of them not getting paid. China itself has around 180 million migrant workers (Xinhua. "Left-behind Kids a 'Bleeding Wound'"), which includes all types of migrant workers ranging from house cleaners to construction workers. Depending on their jobs, the pay are all very different. Some earn thousands per month, while some may earn a measly 800 RMB per month (Xue Rui).
These workers may be hidden away in the shadows, but it certainly isn't easy for them to live the way they currently are. There is a lot of pressure put on these migrant workers, and the children aren't the only ones depending on them. The elderly also depend heavily upon these workers to provide their most basic needs. These workers have an average salary of 1,690 RMB (266.26 US Dollars) per month (Li, Yancheng). That wage is barely enough for them to support themselves. The average Chinese citizen spends around 4,000 yuan (635.17 US Dollars) per month, and that does not include lodging (KSWONG). Above all of the expenditures/wages, there is always a risk of them not getting paid. China itself has around 180 million migrant workers (Xinhua. "Left-behind Kids a 'Bleeding Wound'"), which includes all types of migrant workers ranging from house cleaners to construction workers. Depending on their jobs, the pay are all very different. Some earn thousands per month, while some may earn a measly 800 RMB per month (Xue Rui).
Work Permit
Shanghai Horizon (Chanel)
A problem that washes over these migrant workers are that many of them do not posses a work permit, which proves that they are legal workers. Many employers exploit this situation to their advantage, and end up with free work from these workers. There are many cases in which the migrant workers don't receive their wages when they've already finished the work. Bringing the case to the police or court isn't a way the migrant workers can choose to solve this because they are not legal workers. Situations may also appear where the workers get no breaks, little sleep, and extremely low safety measures during their working hours. There are also times when migrant workers die doing their work (Steven). A work permit costs money. Even if they had the money to buy one, the money would go into helping the family instead.
Migrant Workers in Constant Danger
Not getting their pay might sometimes be the least of a migrant worker's worries. There have been numerous cases of mining accidents all over China, and in 2003 alone, 6,000 miners were killed. It has been estimated that in the last 10 years, there have been over 50,000 miners killed in China (Gu, Bo). Above 97% of all coal mine accidents in China are man-made. The number colliery accidents in China amasses 70 percent of the world total (Wang, Fan).
One might wonder what this huge number has to do with migrant workers, and the reason is that most miners consists of migrant workers. With a parent dead, there might be some sort of insurance money that goes to the family, but that is only a temporary solution, since it will not help the family survive through the years. Missing an important column that supports the bridge (the family), the children would be put on a path towards a darker future.
On average, there are around 20 deaths per mining accident, but that is not the only problem. When the structure collapses during a mining accident, a lot of miners get trapped inside. They could get trapped in the mine for days and if the rescue team does not operate quickly and efficiently, fatality rates would be high. Beneath is a one minute video regarding a recent mining accident in Henan province that happened on 3rd November, 2012. Notice that in the accident, more than 70% of all the miners were trapped inside.
One might wonder what this huge number has to do with migrant workers, and the reason is that most miners consists of migrant workers. With a parent dead, there might be some sort of insurance money that goes to the family, but that is only a temporary solution, since it will not help the family survive through the years. Missing an important column that supports the bridge (the family), the children would be put on a path towards a darker future.
On average, there are around 20 deaths per mining accident, but that is not the only problem. When the structure collapses during a mining accident, a lot of miners get trapped inside. They could get trapped in the mine for days and if the rescue team does not operate quickly and efficiently, fatality rates would be high. Beneath is a one minute video regarding a recent mining accident in Henan province that happened on 3rd November, 2012. Notice that in the accident, more than 70% of all the miners were trapped inside.
News video: "Deadly Coalmine Accident Traps 50+ in Henan Province" (Deadly)
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So What is Happening?
In conclusion, the life of a migrant worker is difficult, and there has been numerous cases where workers are denied of many social welfare benefits. These workers do not have the same privileges as the urban locals. This is starting to change. The government is changing this policy. In Shanghai, the authorities have approved for migrant workers to receive special benefits for heroic acts and voluntary work. These special benefits include a permanent residency, and will have their future opportunities increased. This will also entitle the worker with the same social welfare benefits as a local citizen and will grant easier access to more well developed schooling and medical care (Zhen, Dong).