|
Home>News Center>Life | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Policy should not discriminate but treat equally
It was astonishing to hear a Beijing policy adviser proposing an "access system" for the inflow of labourers from other parts of the country into the capital. Zhang Weiying, a professor of the Beijing-based Renmin University of China and a member of the 10th Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said at the ongoing third session of the committee that such a move will keep some order in the labour inflow. No doubt the proposal was made with good intentions. Beijing has a large population of 15 million, including 3.85 million migrant workers. The city is pinched by insufficient energy and other resources. Controlling the growth of the population is thought to be one way of easing the tension. But any man-made policies to such an end risk discriminating against a certain group of people. Although its wording is decent, Zhang's proposal could lead to nothing but taking measures to block the inward movement of people, especially farmers. Zhang said she is not proposing "a discriminatory policy." But by establishing such an "access system," Beijing policy-makers would have to choose who should be allowed in and who should not. They have to base the selective policy on certain criteria, whether they be age, qualification or employment status. Inevitably, those with a lower educational level would be victimized if such a policy were implemented. They, however, have the right to find jobs anywhere in the country. The policy would thus end in a de facto social-status-based discrimination. In essence, it is allowing some migrants to stay in the city while depriving others movement. Blocking free mobility violates the non-discriminatory principle of the Constitution that all are equal before the law. It would make some "more equal" than others. Chinese society has been evolving towards an open and free community. A sign of this irresistible trend is that people's civil rights are being increasingly respected. Many discriminatory policies have been scrapped. Zhang's good intention to improve the living environment of Beijing is understandable. Whether they are permanent local residents or migrant workers, people all hope to live in a clean and friendly city. But this should by no means be achieved at the sacrifice of a selective group of people. Beijing has made a lot of headway in liberalizing urban management. Its legislature, for example, has planned to discuss the cancellation of municipal regulations on the business activities of people from other regions. Taking effect from 1995, the regulation forbids people of other regions from starting businesses in Beijing without a temporary residence card. The proposal to change the policy signifies that Beijing policy-makers are putting local people and those from outside on a level playing ground. This is the right mentality of managing the city. By opening up the city to all, Beijing will become more vigorous and prosperous. Some may fear the city's limited resources would make it impossible for it to accommodate an ever-expanding population. Such worries are justifiable but not incurable. The tension is putting the wisdom of our policy-makers in running the city to the test. As the population expands, living costs will grow, which will drive some people to find jobs in other lower-cost cities. The municipal government can play a role in providing a sound and fair environment for all people working in the city. It is not in a position to decide the migration track of the people. The country is endeavouring to establish a pro-human society. It is not a
pro-some-people policy.
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
