Migrant workers face big dilemma
By Wang Xiang |
July 20, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MOST young migrant workers in Shenzhen City are underpaid, yet only 1 percent of them want to go back to farming, a survey by the city's Federation of Trade Union said.
More than 7 million migrant workers live in the south China boomtown and 73.8 percent of them were better educated, new-generation migrant workers. Though with higher degrees than their parents, their average monthly wage is only 1,838.6 yuan (US$271), less than half of native workers, the survey said.
The survey of 5,000 respondents said young migrant workers were disadvantaged and that they don't know how to ask for higher pay despite a string of high-profile strikes at plants run by foreign car makers, including Toyota Motor Corp, caught the nation's attention, People's Daily reported yesterday.
Most companies just pay migrant workers the city's minimum wage of 1,100 yuan. These workers often have to work overtime for a wage that makes it hard to make ends meet in the flourishing city.
Survey researcher Zhai Yujuan told the newspaper that they found most young migrant workers are struggling to survive while facing an identity crisis in Shenzhen.
But their difficulties have not shaken their determination to stay. Among the migrant workers surveyed, only 1 percent said they are willing to return to the countryside for farm work.
Others who would like to stay said they expect an ideal monthly wage of 4,200 yuan so that they can settle down in Shenzhen and start a family.
But having a family in the city was a dream often killed by poverty. The survey said about half of the young migrant workers live in public dormitories, where usually more than eight colleagues of the same gender live together, reducing their chances of meeting "Mr or Mrs Right."
The survey found about 20 percent of the young migrant workers who are already married have marital problems. If they have children, most were sent back to their hometowns to live with grandparents.
A similar report by the All-China Federation of Trade Union last month said younger migrant workers are becoming more vocal about their rights.
More than 7 million migrant workers live in the south China boomtown and 73.8 percent of them were better educated, new-generation migrant workers. Though with higher degrees than their parents, their average monthly wage is only 1,838.6 yuan (US$271), less than half of native workers, the survey said.
The survey of 5,000 respondents said young migrant workers were disadvantaged and that they don't know how to ask for higher pay despite a string of high-profile strikes at plants run by foreign car makers, including Toyota Motor Corp, caught the nation's attention, People's Daily reported yesterday.
Most companies just pay migrant workers the city's minimum wage of 1,100 yuan. These workers often have to work overtime for a wage that makes it hard to make ends meet in the flourishing city.
Survey researcher Zhai Yujuan told the newspaper that they found most young migrant workers are struggling to survive while facing an identity crisis in Shenzhen.
But their difficulties have not shaken their determination to stay. Among the migrant workers surveyed, only 1 percent said they are willing to return to the countryside for farm work.
Others who would like to stay said they expect an ideal monthly wage of 4,200 yuan so that they can settle down in Shenzhen and start a family.
But having a family in the city was a dream often killed by poverty. The survey said about half of the young migrant workers live in public dormitories, where usually more than eight colleagues of the same gender live together, reducing their chances of meeting "Mr or Mrs Right."
The survey found about 20 percent of the young migrant workers who are already married have marital problems. If they have children, most were sent back to their hometowns to live with grandparents.
A similar report by the All-China Federation of Trade Union last month said younger migrant workers are becoming more vocal about their rights.
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