Migrants' living conditions test the conscience of society

A garbage collector rides his tricycle as he looks for recyclable items on the streets of Beijing May 26, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Reports show that some migrant workers in Beijing are choosing to live in shipping containers by the roadside because they can't afford to rent a place to live. Youth.cn comments:

Living inside a shipping container means one has to endure high temperatures and no tap water, as well as face the dangers of electric wires that are tangled up. Yet many migrant workers choose to reside in them because of the high cost of renting an apartment.

Some argue that the migrant workers earn wages and they just want to save money. But even if that is true, it is the lack of social security and welfare that compels them to save money to support their families left behind in their hometowns. Besides, in some cases their employers delay or fail to pay them, which means they have to endure financial difficulties.

In order to improve their living conditions, the government needs to better enforce the law so that employers pay migrant workers properly, and pay them on time. But more importantly, it needs to strengthen the social security net so that the migrant workers can be sure about their futures and dare to spend money instead of saving it.

There are many more things that the government can do. Currently, most cities have low-rent apartments, but only those with a local hukou, residence registration, are allowed to apply for them; the central leadership needs to accelerate reform and break the barriers that prevent migrant workers from renting these homes. Their living conditions are a test to the conscience of our society.