Chapter 14. Migrant Workers Section 2. Social Structure The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 1

Outline Introduction History and overview The new generation Social challenges Family challenges Road ahead The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 2

Introduction The huge number of migrant workers in China – million in 2012 – The 2014 Spring Festival travel rush: 3.62 billion passengers The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 3 Migrant workers (peasant workers)

History and overview The establishment of the household- responsibility system and special economic zones: – the surplus rural labor force (China’s earliest group of migrant workers) flowed into urban/costal areas to work in the new factories. The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 4

History and overview According to the 2012 Migrant Workers Report, million migrant workers (42.6%) were from the east, million (31.4%) were from central China, and million (26.0%) were from the west. Ibid. In terms of employment location, million worked in eastern China (64.7%), million worked in central China (17.9%) and million worked in the west (17.1%). Most migrant workers hold jobs in construction, manufacturing or service industries. By the end of 2012, the average monthly income of migrant workers stood at about USD 400, with few significant regional differences. The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 5

The new generation Migrant workers born in 1980s or later The main source (58.4%) of labor outflow according to recent statistics. Obvious distinctions exist between the two generations of migrant workers. – Whether to return to their hometown: 45% of the new generation are more likely to stay – Farming skills – Adjusting to urban life The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 6

Social challenges The current household registration system (the hukou system) poses a discriminatory threat to migrant workers living in urban areas – They are marginalized from urban public services, including healthcare, education etc. Some urban residents have exclusive attitudes. Their social networks are quite limited Generally speaking, migrant workers live in social isolation. The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 7

Family challenges Permanently reuniting their families seems to be an unattainable dream for most migrant workers: skyrocketing housing prices and no housing subisidies The marriages of migrant workers is quite strained. The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 8

Family challenges Children: Left-behind children(61.03 million): a lack of educational resources, parental care and guidance, etc. Migrant children(35.81 million): frequently changing cities, schools and classes (situation has been improved now) The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 9

Family challenges The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 10 Migrant children in an elementary school in Shanghai.

Road ahead A significant segment of society whose needs must be addressed and handled appropriately – Over 260 million migrant workers in China, plus 100 million migrant children and left-behind children Otherwise it may pose a tremendous threat to the society The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 11

Road ahead Current migrant workers are more educated, connected, informed, and ambitious, thus more demanding. It is only a matter of time until migrant workers demand treatment equaling that of urban residents The Chinese Way, Ding and Xu, 2014 Chapter 14. Migrant Workers 12