scholarly journals The pursuit of new citizenship by peri-urban residents in China: Status, rights, and individual choice

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 250-269
Author(s):  
Dong Wang ◽  
Flemming Christiansen
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Social Rights ◽  
Individual Choice ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
Urbanization Process ◽  
Rational Choices ◽  
Urbanization Policy

Although China did not announce any official urbanization policy until 2014, since the 1980s urbanization has been the core goal of China’s unceasing push for modernization and national rejuvenation. Tens of millions of inhabitants living on the fringes of China’s cities merely hold temporary permits with virtually no political and social rights and only a modicum of public policy benefit in the cities where they work. The rights and social entitlements of these people are changing once again, because cities in China are now required by the central government to include the majority of them as normal citizens with equal rights. From the perspectives of three groups of peri-urban residents – relocated agricultural elites, in situ urbanites, and migrant workers – in Luoyang, Shanghai, and Hohhot, this article traces the dynamic dimensions of this ongoing, highly complex urbanization process. We argue that the decision to become a participant, negotiator, deal-maker, or deal-breaker in the migration, displacement, and/or resettlement process involves proactive agency and rational choices in a fast-moving environment, and that cities in China must make concessions to convince peri-urbanites to give up their official rural links.

scholarly journals The Paths to Improve China’s Urbanization Strategy

2021 ◽  
pp. 2175001
Author(s):  
Kaizhong YANG
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
High Quality ◽  
National Economic ◽  
World Class ◽  
The City ◽  
Permanent Residents ◽  
Different Levels

Based on The CPC Central Committee’s Proposals for Formulating the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, this paper proposes three paths to improve China’s urbanization strategy. First, the emphasis should be shifted from permanent residents’ urbanization to migrant workers’ citizenization, thus clearing the barriers against free flow of population and other factors, and advancing equal rights of urban residents so that the city benefits are equally shared. Second, the metropolitanization strategy should be implemented to eliminate scale- and location-related discrimination, promote the efficient agglomeration of population and other productive factors at different levels of metropolitan areas and develop global cities and world-class city clusters. Third, the strategy of building high-quality livable cities should be implemented, by following the new trend of building green, healthy, resilient, smart, innovative and compact cities, and improving local livable qualities.

Enforceability of rights in the temporary agency sector: The case of Belgium

2021 ◽  
pp. 0143831X2110172
Author(s):  
Kim Bosmans ◽  
Deborah De Moortel ◽  
Christophe Vanroelen
Keyword(s):  
Social Rights ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Temporary Agency Workers

This study explores why temporary agency workers are disadvantaged compared to regular workers regarding their employment-related and social rights in Belgium despite extensive equal rights regulation. Fifteen in-depth interviews among temporary agency workers were analysed thematically. The enforceability of rights poses the main problem in temporary agency workers’ disadvantaged position. The following manifestations of a lack of enforceability are discussed: (1) lack of enforceability due to ignorance and indifference about rights; (2) vulnerability hindering enforceability; and (3) lack of enforceability due to misuse by employers and cutting corners. It is argued that this problem of enforceability is mainly caused by a lack of a clear allocation of responsibilities as to who should ensure the rights of temporary agency workers.

scholarly journals Migrant Workers’ Village as an Effort to Strengthen The Rights of Indonesian Migrant Workers

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 02001
Author(s):  
Devi Rahayu
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Destination Country ◽  
The Government ◽  
Village Government

Many problems faced by Indonesian migrant workers and a comprehensive protection are the reason for the government to ratify Law No. 18 year 2017, The Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers. The regulation provides protection by not only the central government, local government but also village government. It is expected to provide protection in pre-departure stage, during or after placement. The existence of village of migrant workers which has protection for migrant workers by: doing procedural administration, strengthening migrant workers’ rights, empowering migrant workers. The strengthening of the rights of migrant workers is done by conducting socialization, training of case and studying the regulations of the destination country. By strengthening the rights of migrant workers, it is expected that migrant workers understand their rights, know what they are doing when they are experiencing problems and understand the rules. It is expected that with a pre-procedural placement process and readiness to understand the rights of migrant workers, it can prevent the occurrence of cases while working in the destination country.

scholarly journals Decomposing differences in depressive symptoms between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and their counterparts in mainland China

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Yang ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Jianmin Gao ◽  
Xiaojuan Zhou ◽  
Fuzhen Li
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Urban Residents ◽  
Sleeping Time ◽  
Urban Migrant ◽  
Rural Dwellers

Abstract Background There has been an increase in older rural-to-urban migrant workers (aged 50 and above) in mainland China, little known about their depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify depressive symptoms among older rural-to-urban migrant workers, as well as explored the factors leading to differences in depressive symptoms between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and their rural counterparts (older rural dwellers) and urban counterparts (older urban residents) in mainland China. The results provided a comprehensive understanding of the depressive symptoms of older rural-to-urban migrant workers, and had great significance for improving the depressive symptoms for this vulnerable group. Methods Data were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2015, and coarsened exact matching (CEM) method was employed to control confounding factors. This study employed a Chinese version 10-item short form of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D 10) to measure depressive symptoms, and used the Social-Ecological Model as a framework to explore influential factors related to depressive symptoms. Specifically, the approach of Fairlie’s decomposition was used to parse out differences into observed and unobserved components. Results After matching, our findings indicated that the prevalence of depressive symptoms in older rural-to-urban migrant workers was lower than older rural dwellers; and the prevalence of depressive symptoms in older rural-to-urban migrant workers was higher than older urban residents. Fairlie’s decomposition analysis indicated that type of in-house shower, sleeping time at night and ill in the last month were proved to be major contributors to the differences in depressive symptoms between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and older rural dwellers; self-reported health and sleeping time at night were proved to be major contributors to the differences in depressive symptoms between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and older urban residents. Conclusions Differences in depressive symptoms between older rural-to-urban migrant workers and their rural and urban counterparts did exist. Our findings contributed to a more reliable understanding in depressive symptoms among older rural-to-urban migrant workers. Our findings would be of referential significance for improving older rural-to-urban migrant workers’ depressive symptoms.

Rural to urban migrant workers in China: challenges of risks and rights

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15
Author(s):  
Bo Yang ◽  
Daniel Zhang Qu
Keyword(s):  
Social Integration ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Equal Rights ◽  
Community Resource ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Future ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
New Generation

PurposeThe rapid urbanization of China brings in large number of migrant workers coming from rural areas. With the perspective of social integration, this study reviews the findings about economic livelihood, social integration and health related to migrant workers since China initiated economic reform. We show that (1) though the economic wellbeing of migrant workers has been improved significantly after they moved to cities, their economic standing is still lower than local residents; (2) though there is progress of social integration between migrant workers and local residents, conflicts and challenges due to the competitions in employment and the sharing of community resource are still commonly found; (3) the disadvantaged status of health is very common among migrant workers and (4) women and the new generation in migration have more disadvantages in the social transition. We suggest that issues of equal rights between migrant workers and local residents should be discussed in the future as more migrant workers intend to stay in cities for long-term.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is literature reviews based on the current studies about migrant, migration and policy. The first category of literature is the research field on China's migration and urbanization to describe the whole context of migrant workers. The second is research field on detailed issues about migrant workers and the last field is policy issues about the welfare and needs among migrant workers.FindingsWe find that (1) though the economic wellbeing of migrant workers has been improved significantly after they moved to cities, their economic standing is still lower than local residents; (2) though there are progress of social integration between migrant workers and local residents, conflicts and challenges due to the competitions in employment and the sharing of community resource are still commonly found; (3) the disadvantaged status of health is very common among migrant workers and (4) women and the new generation in migration face more disadvantages in the social transition.Research limitations/implicationsThere are some limitations in the current research: (1) the review focuses on the majority of migrant workers to reveal the general picture about the living, developing and rights among migrant workers, but is still lacking in dealing with some special and disadvantaged groups. (2) More international issues related to migrant workers should be discussed in the future considering that China's labor market is becoming more and more global.Social implicationsFirst, the conclusion about the economic and social integration among migrant workers indicates that more equal welfare services, including resident services, commence services, medical services etc. should be included in the municipal managements considering that Chinese cities will be the combination of local residents and migrant residents. Second, the conclusion about the women and children indicates that the future public services targeted at the disadvantaged population should focus on migrant members due to the second generation of migrant workers will be one of the mainstream population in future China's cities.Originality/valueThis study gives general views on migrant workers in current China. The findings in this review conclude the main development and improvements among tens of millions of migrant workers in Chinese cities. Meanwhile, we also conclude that there are still many disadvantaged and marginalized sub-groups in migration who are suffering from less welfares and rights in urban lives. More detailed and equal rights and public services should be considered and implemented in the fast urbanization taking place.

The Equal Migrant Labor Distribution through Indonesia Labor Law Policy in ASEAN Economic Community Framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 334
Author(s):  
Emilia Fitriana DEWI ◽  
Agus MULYA ◽  
An CHANDRAWULAN ◽  
Yani PUJIWATI ◽  
Achmad GHAZALI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Law Enforcement ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Migrant Labor ◽  
Economic Community ◽  
Labor Laws ◽  
Criminal Sanctions ◽  
Asean Economic Community ◽  
Administrative Sanctions ◽  
Desk Research

The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) currently requires diverse economic agreements and laws across the region because it moves in a robust multilateral connection based on political, industry, welfares, services, and especially migrant workers. Indonesia, as the largest provider of migrant workers, should have been prepared to deal with the cases of migrant workers. There is a need to build up consensus and appropriate Indonesian labor laws, such as the establishment of multi-partite bodies for purposes of recognition in the ASEAN Economic Community. Thus, this paper attempts to analyze the current existing labor laws in Indonesia. External desk research was employed in this study as the methodology. The results found that the several laws do not meet the needs of the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers concerning the Placement and Protection of Indonesian Workers Abroad. There has not yet provided proportional tasks and authority between the Central Government, Regional Governments, and the private sector. The implementation of the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers requires strict supervision and law enforcement. The supervision including protection before work, during work, and after work, and law enforcement should accommodate the administrative sanctions and criminal sanctions.  

Effects of Intergroup Contact on Attitudes of Chinese Urban Residents to Migrant Workers

Urban Studies ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-490 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingrid Nielsen ◽  
Chris Nyland ◽  
Russell Smyth ◽  
Mingqiong Zhang ◽  
Cherrie Jiuhua Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Intergroup Contact ◽  
Urban Residents

scholarly journals Barriers of effective health insurance coverage for rural-to-urban migrant workers in China: A systematic review and policy gap analysis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanquan Chen ◽  
Yingyao Chen ◽  
Zhanchun Feng ◽  
Xi Chen ◽  
Zheng Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Insurance Coverage ◽  
Health Insurance Coverage ◽  
Cochrane Library ◽  
Job Stability ◽  
Urban Migrant

Abstract Objective: To review China’s healthcare policies and their applications to rural-to-urban migrant workers (RUMWs) in China, to identify problems faced by RUMWs and the policy gaps that need to be addressed in future, and to facilitate better implementation of the UHC on RUMWs. Methods: A systematic review guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The searched databases included PubMed, Embase, Medline, Web of Science, PsycINFO, Maternity and Infant Care Database MIDIRS, the Cochrane Library, WHO Library Database (WHOLIS), WHO Global Health Library, World Bank eLibrary, OpenGrey, CNKI, and Wanfang. In total 71 articles were reviewed. Findings: (1) Chinese RUMWs have a high work mobility and low job stability; (2) Barriers faced by RUMWs to have effective health insurance coverage are mainly due to the reluctancy of employers to provide insurance for all employees and a disadvantaged position held by RUMWs when negotiating with their employers; (3) Fissures among existing health insurance schemes leaves no room for RUMWs to meet their primary needs; and (4) Recent efforts in improving the portability and transferability of insurance across borders and schemes are not enough to solve the barriers. Conclusion: It is argued that the Chinese central government must deal with the fragmentation of healthcare system in China and promote the effective coverage by: (1) playing a more active role in coordinating different healthcare and social welfare schemes across the country, (2) increasing the health insurance portability, (3) making the healthcare policies more compatible with RUMW’s characteristics to meet their primary health needs, (4) strengthening supervision over employers, and (5) providing more vocational trainings and other supports to increase RUMW’s job stability.

scholarly journals The Politics of the COVID-19 Pandemic in India

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Uma Purushothaman ◽  
John S. Moolakkattu
Keyword(s):  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Central Government ◽  
State Level ◽  
Economic Life ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Medical Supplies ◽  
The Social ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
The Government ◽  
Union Government

India responded to the COVID-19 measures abruptly and in a tough manner during the early stages of the pandemic. Its response did not take into consideration the socio-economic life of the majority of people in India who work in the informal sector and the sheer diversity of the country. The imposition of a nationwide lockdown using the Disaster Management Act 2005 enabled the Union Government to impose its will on the whole country. India has a federal system, and health is a state subject. Such an overbearing role on the part of the Central Government did not, however, lead to coordinated action. Some states expressed their differences, but eventually all complied with the central guidelines. The COVID-19 pandemic struck at a time when an agitation was going on in the country, especially in New Delhi, against the Citizen Amendment Act. The lockdown was imposed all of a sudden and was extended until May 31. This led to a humanitarian crisis involving a large number of domestic migrant workers, who were left stranded with no income for survival and no means of transport to go home. Indians abroad who were intending to return also found themselves trapped. Dissenting voices were silenced through arrests and detentions during this period, and the victims included rights activists, students, lawyers, and even some academics. Power tussles and elections continued as usual and the social distancing norms were often compromised. Since COVID-19 containment measures were carried out primarily at the state level, this paper will also selectively draw on their experiences. India also used the opportunity to burnish its credentials as the ‘pharmacy of the world’ by sending medical supplies to over a hundred countries. In the second wave, there were many deaths, but the government was accused of undercounting them and of not doing enough to deliver vaccines to Indians. This paper will deal with the conflicts, contestations and the foreign policy fallout following the onset of the pandemic and the measures adopted by the union government to cope with them, with less focus on the economic and epidemiological aspects of pandemic management. This paper looks at previous studies, press reports, and press releases by government agencies to collect the needed data. A descriptive and analytical approach is followed in the paper.

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