Compulsory standards on living conditions for migrant workers
should be made as detailed as possible, says a commentary in
Beijing News. An excerpt follows:
An official from the Beijing construction authority is reported
to have said that migrant workers' dorms on construction sites must
have a heating system in place. Construction companies would be
warned or even have their projects stopped if the dorms did not
have a temperature over 16 C.
It is definitely a move showing real care for migrant workers.
And this time, the authorities have come up with a solid punishment
for violations: No warm dorms, no construction works. It reflects
concern for the welfare of migrant workers over the urban
infrastructure, and respect for their dignity as well.
But now that there is a concrete standard in place for the
temperature of migrant workers' dorms, how about the other aspects
of their lives?
A survey by the National Bureau of Statistics released in
October said that only 20 per cent of migrant workers questioned
were satisfied with their food, shelter and medical care. Reports
of migrant workers having to eat inferior food are not unusual.
Migrant workers' dorms are also far from comfortable. It is
common for scores of them to be accommodated in one room.
Migrant workers have made huge contributions to urban
construction in this country, yet they live in ultra-poor
conditions.
It is therefore necessary for the government to set compulsory
standards covering the basic needs of migrant workers, including
food, shelter, hygiene and room temperature.
Some may worry that it is fussing over a trivial issue for the
government to take care of the details in migrant workers'
lives.
But such requirements could never be too much when they involve
maintaining individual dignity and safeguarding individual
rights.
As a matter of fact, the government should also set up
complementary guidelines on awards and punishment for those doing
an excellent or poor job in this regard, and ensure they are put
into practice.
(China Daily December 6, 2006)