From migrants to community workers

Internal migration in China is one of the most extensive in the world. As a result of industrialisation and urbanisation, an estimated 300 million Chinese have moved from rural to urban areas to find work. The transition holds many obstacles for the migrants, tearing them from previous support systems and into unfamiliar environments, where their rights are not being protected.

Over 1000 migrants received help

With the aim of protecting internal migrant workers’ rights in China, the Institute has supported the establishment of 15 community centres in Beijing and other provinces. At the centres more than 1,000 workers, including young migrants and disabled workers have increased their job possibilities and learned how to protect themselves from law violations while helping other workers safeguard their legal rights.

Theatre plays and museum to raise awareness

The centres not only provide legal knowledge, information and social resources, but also create a mutual support system and help in the development of a common identity for the new migrant workers. Each community centre has a store selling second hand clothes, the income of which is used to fund a number of awareness raising activities including theatre plays, TV shows, musical performances and the establishment of a migrant workers museum documenting migrant workers’ history. Furthermore, the centres functions as the base for other social initiatives such as the establishment of schools for the migrant workers’ children.

Trainings on labour laws

The Institute supported the Chinese organisation, that set up the centres, from 2004 – 2016. During the first years we supported the conduction of trainings focused on labour law and safeguarding workers’ rights. From 2009 the Institute began to systematically support two six-month trainings with around 70 participants each. In 2014 the trainings focused on social entrepreneurship, which helped the organisation start up community centres in the migrant communities.

Partners

• A Chinese grassroots organisation working with migrant workers.