Migrant workers to lose out over SARS
25 June 2003 Reports taken from various sources
It has been reported that up to 1.27 million urban jobs may be scrapped due to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic and some rural areas will be most hit after an estimated seven to eight million migrant workers have returned to their home villages to escape from the disease.
Cai Fang, a spokesperson at the China Academy of Social Sciences was reported as stating that already the income of farmers - who have long been one of the lowest earning groups in China - is diminishing as they lose their much needed income from second jobs in the cities. He believed that “they will probably struggle against poverty".
The China Daily reported that migrant workers could lose up to 40 million yuan by the end of the year because of SARS.
The Beijing Morning Post added that in the long term up to 1.27 million urban jobs could be lost because of the outbreak, threatening even more the precarious financial situation of migrants, laid off workers and new job seekers.
Although many migrants are returning to their jobs in the cities, some still face travel restrictions and some have been laid off due to financial troubles at their workplaces brought on because of SARS.
Migrant workers are already among the most disadvantaged sectors of Chinese society, often working in appalling conditions, with little or no medical and social insurance and with little legal or official support.
CLB 25 June 2003
It has been reported that up to 1.27 million urban jobs may be scrapped due to the SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) epidemic and some rural areas will be most hit after an estimated seven to eight million migrant workers have returned to their home villages to escape from the disease.
Cai Fang, a spokesperson at the China Academy of Social Sciences was reported as stating that already the income of farmers - who have long been one of the lowest earning groups in China - is diminishing as they lose their much needed income from second jobs in the cities. He believed that “they will probably struggle against poverty".
The China Daily reported that migrant workers could lose up to 40 million yuan by the end of the year because of SARS.
The Beijing Morning Post added that in the long term up to 1.27 million urban jobs could be lost because of the outbreak, threatening even more the precarious financial situation of migrants, laid off workers and new job seekers.
Although many migrants are returning to their jobs in the cities, some still face travel restrictions and some have been laid off due to financial troubles at their workplaces brought on because of SARS.
Migrant workers are already among the most disadvantaged sectors of Chinese society, often working in appalling conditions, with little or no medical and social insurance and with little legal or official support.
CLB 25 June 2003
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