Impact of the socio-economic issue on a specific group in society

Question 1

Migrant Worker

Answer 1

▪ China’s economic development has driven millions of
Chinese from rural areas to cities like Shanghai,
Hangzhou, Guangzhou and Shenzhen in search for
work opportunities.
▪ This group of migrant workers – mingong– number
200-300m.
▪ They are also working in small scale job sectors:
street cleaning, public gardening, rubbish
collection; etc.
▪ The household registration is known as the hukou
the system in China which meant that every Chinese
should register, work and go to school in his place
of birth makes it difficult for many Chinese citizens
who seek opportunities in different Chinese cities
▪ Under recent reforms to the hukou, people can
move from their home village or town to other urban
areas but benefits linked to social protection in the
new place does not exist.
▪ In 2012, local governments began using alternative
terms to Mingong, “in an effort to kerb discrimination
and promote the integration of workers into society”.
▪ The government (supported by the World Bank) now
offers incentives for companies who offer free
accommodation for their migrant workers.