Social Protection for Migrant Workers in China

Abstract

AbstractOne cornerstone of the economic miracle China experienced after 1978 was domestic migrant labour. Through the incremental liberalisation of migration control, rural residents had been allowed to move to urban coastal areas. This chapter is centred on the issue of social protection for migrant workers. First, we look at the origins of the problem, which lie in the household registration system. Second, we describe how during the first phase of economic reform, migrant workers were precluded from participating in urban welfare, and were inadequately protected by rudimentary rural welfare. Third, we then show how, under national and international pressure to alleviate the situation for migrant workers, social protection for this group has been expanded to a certain degree.