28 March 2008.
The Mainland's Migrant Workers
More than 10%, and possibly as many as 13%, of China's population are migrant workers. They ’ ve played a major role in the country's recent economic success story. But they are often badly treated.
Cases of illegally low pay, abusive factory conditions, and contract violations, are commonplace. In March, for the first time, China appointed three migrant workers to the National People's Congress. There have been criticisms that the appointments represent a token gesture by the government towards resolving the country's most pressing labour issues. There are still huge imbalances of power between employers and workers that need to be addressed.
After our filmed report, Geoffrey Crothall of the China Labour Bulletin, joins us to talk about the issue.