With the grim employment situation, safeguarding the rights and interests of migrant workers has become more difficult. Problems such as arrears of wage as well as lower social security insurance and labor contract rates have appeared.

- Wages of migrant workers grows slowly, arrears of wage appears again.

Since 2004, the average wage for migrant workers has maintained double-digit growth rate for 3 years. But after the financial crisis, wages of migrant workers in general has slowed down the pace of growth, and in some regions the average wage of migrant workers has even decreased. In order to find a job, migrant workers can only accept lower pay. This is likely to bring new poverty.

A survey conducted by relevant department's shows that 8% of migrant workers who lost their jobs and returned to hometown experienced wage arrears.

- Social security insurance rate of migrant workers drops.

Affected by the international financial crisis, the number of migrant workers who participate in work-related injuries insurance, medical care insurance and old-age insurance witnessed negative growth this year, and such decrease is especially obvious in Guangdong, Jiangsu and Shanghai where migrant workers are concentrated.

- Lower rate of migrant workers signing labor contracts.

A survey conducted by Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security shows the rate of migrant workers who have signed labor contracts in catering, entertainment, tourism, service industry and small and medium-sized construction enterprises has always been hovering at a relatively low level. A number of seasonal employment and temporary jobs simply do not mention the labor contract issue.

Yang Zhiming, director of the Office of Migrant Workers in the State Council and the Vice Ministry of Labor and Social Security, said employment is vital for the survival of migrant workers. The first thing we need to do for the rights and interests of migrant workers is to protect their right of employment. It is necessary to promote the employment of migrant workers.

In addition, special attention should be paid to resolve the issue of migrant workers' wages. Some companies in financial difficulty can make reasonable adjustments to the wage levels through negotiation, but "the bottom line" is there must be no arrears of wages.

By People's Daily Online