An EU-funded training program for female migrant workers
launched in Beijing on Thursday, aiming to expand their knowledge,
enhance their law awareness, improve their ability to live in the
city, and solve the problems they may encounter.
Over 120 female migrant workers in Beijing coming from provinces
like Sichuan and Gansu became the first group of beneficiaries.
By using easy language and interactive technology in teaching, and
by launching various activities like seminars and screening movies,
the three-day training course is expected to provide more
opportunities for them to communicate with one another and to know
more about the city.
The training will focus on six main areas that are highly
related to the work and life of female migrant workers. The course
of "city life" will teach them a common knowledge of living in the
city, including how to rent a room, how to be safe, how to take
public transportation, and how to use public facilities, in order
to allow them to adapt to the city life in a short time. Because
most of the trainees are not well educated, they know nothing about
law. The training course will therefore teach them how to use the
law to protect their own legal rights. In addition, segments on how
to find and apply for a job, and how to manage their money are also
included in the content of the training. Additionally, the course
will help improve their gender awareness and provide them with
information about healthcare.
The training course is only one part of the larger program on
female migrant workers funded by the EU committee and implemented
by the China International Center for Economic and Technical
Exchanges (CICETE) and China Association for NGO Cooperation
(CANGO).
Launched in March 2006, the three-year program started from
in-depth analysis and research on the working and living situation
of female migrant workers. Other related trainings for NGOs on
management and financing, and for enterprises on their social
awareness and responsibilities, are also available.
In addition, a hotline (010-84039776, service in Chinese
language only) has been set up, providing services including
consultancy, career information, and legal aid for female migrant
workers.
(China Development Gateway by Xu Lin July 6, 2007)
