It is important to grant migrant workers the right of speech for
social fairness, says an article in China Youth Daily. An
excerpt follows:
Mayor of Beijing Wang Qishan made a moving speech at the
Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference on Sunday,
saying that the millions of migrant workers in the capital have
contributed much to the city and deserve fair treatment.
Issues concerning migrant workers have been hot topics at
sessions of the National People's Congress and Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference every year, which shows that
society has given much attention to this group. But these issues
are always raised by non-migrant-worker deputies and members. The
loss of speech by the migrant population has already put them at a
disadvantage.
Obviously the migrant population knows best about their needs.
But it is rare to see migrant workers in the people's congress and
political consultative conference at various levels.
It would be much better if migrant workers themselves could
raise the topic of fair treatment and tell the public about their
actual needs.
It is gratifying that in Dongguan, south China's Guangdong
Province, some migrant laborers became members of local people's
political consultative conference this year for the first time.
Members of the people's political consultative conference can
easily become spokespeople for their fields and trades. Against
such a background, the members should come from different groups to
represent the interests of various areas of society.
Migrant workers rarely have the opportunity to participate in
political activities, which is just an important reason why their
legal rights and interests are always ignored. Migrant workers have
little say in issues concerning their own interests.
It is important to grant the migrant population the right of
speech. Equal rights are the key to guaranteeing social
fairness.
(China Daily January 31, 2007)