At least 10 million migrant workers will be absorbed into trade
unions by the end of 2007, said an official with the All-China
Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) on Sunday.
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The enrollment procedure will be further simplified and incentive
mechanisms perfected in a bid to have all migrant workers
registered in trade unions within three years, said ACFTU Vice
Chairman Xu Deming on the sidelines of the annual session of the
National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative
Conference (CPPCC), the country's top advisory body.
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Trade unions should be set up in migrant workers' hometowns to
facilitate their enrollment, said Xu, also a CPPCC National
Committee member. They can transfer their membership to the unions
in the companies where they work to ensure they can enjoy both
preferential treatment as members of urban trade unions and help
from the unions in their hometowns, he added.
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Currently, China has over 41 million migrant worker union members,
8.5 million of whom were registered last year, according to
Xu.
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China's large population of migrant workers, estimated at about 200
million with 120 million working in cities and the rest in towns,
is attracting more social attention as the country, in a drive to
build a harmonious society, endeavors to improve the living
conditions and social status of the once marginalized group.
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Since 2005, 41 migrant workers have been honored for representing
the "National Labor Model."?
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Migrant workers are also expected to have seats in the
approximately 3,000-member National People's Congress, China's top
legislature, if a draft resolution on lawmaker election for next
year is passed by the NPC's annual full session when it ends on March
16.
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The draft resolution stipulates that provinces and municipalities
with a large population of migrant workers should have an NPC
deputy quota for them.
(Xinhua News Agency March 12, 2007)