Given that Chinese manufacturing is almost entirely dependent on migrant labour, it is about time the government recognised the rights of this segment of the population.
Reuters: “China’s top security official called on Friday for the government to relax the controversial residency permit, or hukou, system to ensure the army of migrant workers can enjoy better services like health care and housing.
The 230 million-strong migrant workforce drives China’s economy, but a lack of access to education, health and other services tied to the country’s strict household registration system forces massive saving, restraining Beijing’s efforts to shift the focus of growth to consumption from investment.
It also causes social tensions, something the stability-obsessed ruling Communist Party is desperate to avoid.
In comments to a work meeting cited by the official Xinhua news agency, security tsar Zhou Yongkang said China should establish as soon as possible a new “national residence permit system” to improve services for migrant workers.
The system would cover help with employment, health care, housing, social security and education for migrant workers’ children, said Zhou, a member of the party’s decision making inner circle, the Standing Committee.”
via Top China official urges residency permit reform | Reuters.
Related articles
- https://chindia-alert.org/2012/02/23/china-finally-realises-that-migrant-workers-are-not-a-transient-issue/
- Chinese Migrant Worker’s Children Face New Education Hurdle (theepochtimes.com)
- The Trouble With China’s Official Urbanization Rate (chinavortex.com)
- Children of China’s migrant workers face different holidays (wantchinatimes.com)
- https://chindia-alert.org/2012/06/28/chinese-migrant-workers-unrest-flares/
- https://chindia-alert.org/prognosis/chinese-challenges/
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