Two Chinese NGOs, the China Legal Aid Foundation and All China Lawyers Association (ACLA), signed an agreement in Beijing Thursday on launching a one-million-yuan fund to support providing legal aid to China's vast number of migrant rural workers.

In cooperation with its local branches, the ACLA plans to set up at least one service center in every province-level area within two years to safeguard the interests of migrant rural workers, said an ACLA official.

Statistics show migrant rural workers have become a major driving force for the development of cities. The number of migrant workers in cities rose at an annual rate of 3 million over the past five years. The total number has reached 140 million.

"China's migrant rural workers, who often take the heaviest and most dangerous jobs in cities, are a disadvantaged group by all standards," said Yu Ning, chairman of the ACLC.

"They are in disadvantaged positions in terms of social status, living environment, social security and awareness of their own rights," said Yu, adding lawyers have the responsibility and obligations to help them safeguard their rights and interests.

China's migrant workers receive relatively low payments and they often could not receive their payments in due time and amount.

"But helping them to get payment will be only part of our work, " said Yu. "We'll also endeavor to protect their personal safety, property, their rights to education and their dignity."

Source: Xinhua