Nation ups support for migrants

China is gearing up for a better working and living environment for domestic migrant workers, with an aim to facilitate a more solid integration of rural and urban development and allow the workers to share the benefits of common prosperity.

Ten central departments, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the National Development and Reform Commission and the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, recently released a guideline urging governments at all levels to give stronger support to migrant workers in terms of employment, entrepreneurship, skills improvement and rights protection, as well as the growth of their children and families.

Figures from the human resources ministry show that, in 2023, the nation had about 298 million migrant workers, among whom 177 million were working outside their hometowns.

However, migrant workers nationwide face issues such as aging, slower growth in terms of their numbers and inadequate rights protections of their social insurance and salaries, said the ministry. Stronger policy support and practical measures are required to help resolve these problems, it said.

Under the guideline, local authorities are required to develop industries that can offer more jobs to migrant workers such as nursing and domestic services, and establish human resources services in rural areas to give residents information about jobs.

Local authorities are required to build entrepreneurial zones to attract migrant workers to return to their hometowns and start their own businesses.

Financial subsidies, low-interest loans and tax reductions should be considered for migrant workers who wish to run businesses.

The guideline requires local authorities to organize skills training programs focusing on sectors such as construction, domestic services, catering and logistics, as well as flexible employment for people seeking jobs or aiming to improve their skills. It encourages youths from rural areas to study at vocational schools and companies.

Under the guideline, employers should sign labor contracts that state the rights the migrants are entitled to. Payment arrears will be strictly cracked down upon, according to the guideline, and legal aid will be made available to workers whenever they face disputes over payment or workplace hazards.

It also outlines measures addressing workers' rights protection, as well as housing issues and education problems to ensure better living and working environments. It urges local authorities to streamline the review procedures of the migrant workers' children's transfers into public schools in urban areas, and also provide the students financial assistance.

The guideline encourages authorities, especially those in cities with larger flowing populations and higher living costs, to offer affordable housing near industrial zones or near companies that hire large numbers of migrant workers to improve their living conditions.

The nation has stepped up efforts to ramp up migrant workers' rights protection in recent years, putting focus on resolving payment arrears, mediating work disputes and improving social insurance, which has yielded fruitful results.

In Anshan, Liaoning province, for example, authorities reclaimed payment arrears of 11.72 million yuan ($1.6 million) for migrant workers from late May to September. About 55 cases involving wage arrears were resolved during the period.