Risk and Resilience Among Rural Migrant Workers in Mainland China During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Post COVID

Abstract

Rural migrant workers are an indigenous population migrated from rural to urban, encountering risks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including social, political, and psychological facets. Through conducting a case study in an eastern city, it is found that economic crisis and mental distress are risks rural migrant workers faced during COVID-19. Social trust and support, self-help, traditional Chinese culture, and volunteerism are presented as resilient among rural migrant workers during COVID-19. Risks persist in post COVID, which are difficulties in job hunting and finding a place to live. However, they still maintain resilience, such as hard-working, enduring hardship, and trust for the future to cope with additional risks. The research findings can reveal further implications for social workers and policymakers.