|
Peripheral citizens -- The 2nd generation of migrant workers
(china.org.cn)
Updated: 2005-12-27 15:21
No roots in the city
For the new generation migrant worker, words such as 'farmer' or 'villager'
have little significance because they have nothing to do with the environment
that they're used to.
"The first generation of migrant worker had to submit to the disparity
between city and rural areas. But the new generation is very aware that the
system is not a fair and reasonable one," Wang said.
However, Liu added that many don't leave the city because they wouldn't be
able to cope in the countryside. "They wouldn't be able to cope without the
creature comforts -- TV, sanitation, recreational facilities and friends," Liu
said, adding: "They don't know anything about farming."
Unfortunately, their roots are not in the city either.
"I don't feel at home in the city. Most of my friends are also migrant
workers. I have little contact with local people. I buy what I need at a big
supermarket because that way, I don't have to talk to them," Liu Tao, a migrant
worker from Shaanxi Province told China Newsweek.
But Liu Tao added that through what little contact he had with the locals, he
could see that there is less discrimination now against migrant workers.
What remains unchanged, however, is the attitude of local government,
according to China Newsweek. They not only discriminate against migrant workers,
but are also hostile towards them.
This autumn, Cai Jiao, a migrant worker from central China's Jiangxi Province
who works in Panyu, Guangdong Province, approached the labor arbitration
commission in Panyu to resolve his dispute he had with his employer.
He was treated with disdain and rudeness. He was even manhandled. But Cai
stood his ground and told them that they, as government representatives, had a
responsibility to uphold justice. Unfortunately, his brave words and actions
came to nought. His case has yet to be heard.
"We pay taxes that pay their salaries. Why shouldn't they perform their
duties?" Cai told China Newsweek.
Policy barrier
According to statistics provided by Liu Kaiming, Shenzhen made 118.3 billion
yuan in revenue in 2004, with 80 percent of that revenue coming from the
secondary and tertiary industries that employ migrant workers. About 42.5
billion of the revenue was spent on one million local residents, but not a fen
was spent on the 8 million migrant workers.
"One billion yuan can solve compulsory education for 1 million children of
migrant workers, which can also boost the privately run schools. It's obviously
not a money issue," Liu said. "Two billion yuan can help build flats in
industrial areas for families of migrant workers. The current situation is
shocking. I once saw six couples living in one room."
In Dongguan, southern Guangdong, the cheapest flat sells for about 1,000 yuan
per square meter, still beyond the reach of the average migrant worker.
Guangzhou has a policy that migrant workers living in Guangdong for seven
years running can apply for a hukou or permanent residence, provided they first
possess a temporary residence permit. However, how the system works is that few
migrant workers are given temporary residence permits for seven years running. A
Catch-22.
Local governments are still prejudiced and treat migrant workers as
troublemakers, according to Yang Laiqing, a Party official from Longhua
District, Haikou City, Hainan Province. Yang said less than a third of public
servants consider migrant workers as equals.
|
