Chongqing Municipal Government decided to establish a Migrant Workers' Day to express gratitude for their contribution to the city development recently. While this decision has received some public plaudits, people are more concerned about the real benefits of migrant workers.
People's Daily has carried a commentary, saying that the government should try to solve practical problems of migrant workers rather than merely setting aside a special day for them. With rapid industrialization and urbanization, more and more farmers are moving to work in cities. They have contributed a lot to the development of many cities, but their rights are often neglected.
The paper suggests that the government try to solve real problems for migrant workers, helping them receive wages on time, have their children properly educated, and gradually raise their living standards. Only when migrant workers could enjoy the same privileges as their urban counterparts, can we say they have received due respect.
The paper concludes by saying that in the long term, the government should introduce laws and regulations to set up a systematic network for migrant workers to improve their housing conditions and social security.