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This study uses mixed methodologies to reveal how structural and cultural changes are changing the connotations of home and aging in rural China. Based on surveys (n = 830) and 33 intensive interviews with older migrant workers, this study found that having rural public pensions, adult children living nearby, and owning land in their hometowns were associated with the respondents' desire for aging in place (AIP). Moreover, although the image of the rural home is idyllic, the reality is difficult. Aging migrant workers are gaining a strong sense of financial independence and their children's lack of parental care. The authors argue that having no social-care services, while adult children are rarely available for old-age care, is changing the connotations of AIP in rural China. These social and cultural transformations are making AIP more of a romantic ideal than a practical reality for migrant workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Talent revitalization is the basis of rural revitalization, and the return of migrant workers to their hometowns is a critical way to improve rural human capital. Based on the perspective of individual–family interaction and collaboration, we constructed a theoretical model for maximizing the net benefits of rural migrant workers. Then, we use it to explore the impact of family support pressure and urban housing purchase on individuals' homecoming decisions. Firstly, we find the odds ratio of migrant workers with support pressure to return home is 14.013 times higher than those without, and the odds ratio of migrant workers with urban housing is 42.94% lower than those without. Secondly, in the process of supporting, the family, as a link between individuals and rural society, can enhance the connection for migrant workers, thus promoting their return behavior. The mediating effect of hometown connection is 1.342, accounting for 50.83% of the total effect. However, buying a house in the city reduces individuals' homecoming behaviors by encouraging "trailing spouse". Thirdly, individuals' homecoming intention is not consistent with their behavior. The moderating effect of a future house purchase plan changes the influence of support pressure on individuals' intention to return home to some extent. Finally, we should further strengthen rural infrastructure construction and elderly care service supply to reasonably guide capable and willing talents to return to the township. This study provides some implications for the revitalization of rural talent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the rapid development of China’s “gig economy,” the on-call work model has grown increasingly prevalent in China and has attracted a large number of rural migrant workers with its low employment threshold. However, this irregular employment mode may negatively impact the mental health of workers. Methods: This paper uses an ordinal logistic regression model to study the relationship between Chinese rural migrant workers’ on-call work and their depression. Results: The results showed that after controlling for relevant variables, the odds ratio of depressive mood among rural migrant workers engaged in on-call work was 1.22 (95% CI 1.04–1.43) compared with rural migrant workers who did not need to be on call. In further heterogeneity research, we found that on-call work is more likely to aggravate the depression risk of rural migrant workers who are highly dependent on the internet and have low-wage incomes. Discussion: This research suggests that appropriate measures should be taken to mitigate the negative impact of on-call work on the mental health of rural migrant workers, and more attention needs to be paid to the mental health of lower salaried and gig workers. This paper provides a valuable sample of Chinese rural migrant workers for theoretical research on the relationship between on-call work and mental health and confirms the relationship between the two. These results contribute new ideas to the theory and practice of psychological crisis intervention aimed at Chinese rural migrant workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have revealed that stereotyping processes involving negative affective content (e.g., antipathy) can lead to a significant increase in insula activity. However, whether the insula is sensitive to stereotype inconsistency or plays a crucial role in stereotype regulation remains unclear. To help fill this gap, 21 young adults were presented with a modified single-category implicit association test (SC-IAT) that assessed their stereotypes about rural migrant workers. In a within-subjects design, participants completed separate blocks of compatible and incompatible trials, each of which consisted of stereotype-consistent or stereotype-inconsistent trait labels that had a positive or a negative valence. Functional MRI was used to identify specific brain regions associated with negative and positive stereotyping. The behavioral results revealed a typical stereotype regulation effect in which participants responded slower to stereotype-inconsistent condition than stereotype-consistent condition, although such effect was significantly modulated by IAT compatibility, rather than by emotional valence. MRI results revealed that activity in the right insula was significantly sensitive to stereotype regulation processes in negative incompatible tasks, whereas such effect was marginally significant in positive incompatible tasks. Moreover, psychophysiological interaction analyses indicated complex functional connectivity among the right insula and cognitive control regions [e.g., ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (vlPFC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC)], social mentalizing regions [medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC)], and motivation regions (putamen) in the condition where negative stereotypes were violated. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that the right insula serves as a crucial node in regulating implicit stereotyping, particularly in negative stereotyping tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While reducing inequity in health service utilization is an important goal of China's health system, it has been widely acknowledged that a huge number of rural migrant workers cannot be effectually protected against risks with the New Rural Cooperative Medical Insurance (NCMS).Method: Data of the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamic Survey and the Chinese Urban Statistical Yearbook were used. The multilevel regression approach was implemented with a nationally representative sample of rural migrant workers with NCMS. Our study adopted the concentration index and its decomposition method to quantify the inequality of their health service utilization.Result: The multilevel model analysis indicated that impact variables for health service utilization were not concentrated, especially the contextual and individual characteristics. The concentration indices of the probability of two weeks outpatient and the probability of inpatient were -0.168 (95%CI:-0.236,-0.092) and -0.072 (95%CI:-1.085,-0.060), respectively. The horizontal inequality indices for the probability of two-week outpatient and the probability of inpatient were -0.012 and 0.053, respectively.Conclusion: The health service utilization of rural migrant workers with NCMS is insufficient. Our study highlighted that substantial inequalities in their health service utilization did exist. In addition, their need of health service utilization increased the pro-poor inequality. Based on the findings, our study offered notable implications on compensation policies and benefit packages to improve the equality among rural migrant workers with NCMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores Chinese rural migrant workers' perceived value of tourism from a social tourism perspective. The findings are based on 20 semi‐structured interviews and highlight the benefits that tourism can bring to Chinese rural migrant workers. Theoretically, the study led to the developed of a six‐dimension life work social self‐realization emotional epistemic scale that shows Chinese rural migrant workers' perceived value of tourism based on life value, work value, social value, self‐realization value, emotional value, and epistemic value. Practically, the research provides useful suggestions for government on policy development and opportunities for the design of tourism products for Chinese rural migrant workers. This study challenges the existing understanding of perceived value, which has highlighted tourism value from a macro perspective but neglected to look at perceived value on a micro or individual level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the interaction between rural migrant workers' (RMWs) language ideologies, linguistic identities and their family language planning activities in China. Focusing on language choices of RMW parents and their children, the study involves eight families who migrated from rural to urban areas. Data were collected through home observations, recorded family conversations and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that RMWs experience conflicting identities instantiated by their language choices and language practices. Tangled in multiple identities, such as temporary urban residents, undereducated low-paid labourers, homesick rural-urban migrants and trustworthy employees, they frequently face the predicament of having to choose between either Putonghua (the official language in China, also known as the common speech) or hometown fangyans (also known as regional dialects) or local fangyans to deal with everyday issues. The association between identities and language ideologies drive RMWs to intentionally use Putonghua as language management strategy at home. Consequently, the language choices of both parents and their children show a shift from fangyan to Putonghua. The findings also suggest that parental language ideologies and planning activities in home domains are shaped by macro social systems, public discourse and language planning at a national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The health problems of rural migrant workers have received more and more attention from government, society, and academia in recent years. OBJECTIVE: By integrating social role theory and interpersonal relationship theory, this study investigates the underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions that explain the effects of income and working time on the health of rural migrant workers. METHODS: Data from 310 rural migrant workers in four cities of Hebei Province were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). RESULTS: Results show that (1) life stress mediated the influence of income and working time on health; (2) marital status moderated the relationship between two independent variables (income and working time) and mediator (life stress): the relationship between income and life stress was much stronger for unmarried rural migrant workers than the married; the relationship between working time and life stress was much more significant for married rural migrant workers than the unmarried; (3) one indirect relationship (income-life stress-health) was moderated by marital status: the indirect relationship between income and health was much stronger for unmarried rural migrant workers than the married. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides some ideas for future research on the health problems of migrant workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper compares energy consumption (electricity, gasoline, and gas) by rural migrant workers and urban residents with a hukou (a China-specific household registration system) and influential factors (including quality-of-life [QOL]-related factors, built environment, and individual and household attributes) in China. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Dalian (a coastal city) in 2014 and in Guiyang (an inland city) in 2015, respectively. A zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) model was applied to understand whether and how much people consume a certain type of energy. The results showed that built environment explains 8.4–21.8% and 6.3–41.4% of the total variance in energy consumption by rural migrant workers and urban residents with a hukou. The corresponding variance related to QOL-related factors was 9.1–15.8% and 4.1–22.6%, respectively. The built environment was mostly associated with electricity consumed by urban residents with a hukou, while its influences on other types of energy consumption were moderate. Mixed effects of both built environment and QOL-related factors on reducing energy consumption were observed. Thus, it is context-sensitive whether and how much compact city development and social security policy affect residents' energy consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the regulation of human capital of rural migrant workers considering how they develop and mobilize their (SC) and how this interacts with strategies to increase productivity implemented by managers. Design/methodology/approach: Ethnographic research was carried out in ten petrol stations located in Zhejiang Province, Southeast China, which are part of one of China's state owned oil conglomerates. Semi-structured interviews took place alongside background information questionnaires, observations and participant observations at forecourts. Findings: The results suggest that migrant workers do not view their HC as being valued by the company. Therefore, to maximize pay and minimalize penalties, they work with the system by meeting performance targets and against it by restricting work effort developing SC that challenges management. Practical implications: Similar qualitative research can be usefully undertaken in different work environments and the relationship between HC and SC examined in the growing service industry in China focusing on the negative effects as well as the positivist framework in which it is usually considered. Originality/value: This paper has an original approach by considering HC and SC in terms of tensions and counteracting forces as opposed to a the more typical positive framework in which they are considered in terms of contributions to profits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the late 1980s, millions of poor and low-income rural migrant workers migrating to Chinese metropolises with their children have congregated in chengzhongcun (villages in the city) for low-cost housing. Drawing on data from a 14-month participant observation in one chengzhongcun in Beijing, we critically explore the potential impact of urban expansion on social mobility of migrant youth. We argue that the uncertainty and chaos connected with looming demolition result in substandard schooling and business closures for migrant parents, leading to the stagnant mobility of migrant youth. Expanding the social hierarchy pyramids, we argue that eliminating chengzhongcun, a space that creates the possibility of climbing the social ladder, hampers the social mobility of migrant youth in the context of the rigid class structure in the late-socialist China. This research re-examines the goals of the demolition of chengzhongcun and advances our understanding by analyzing the prospects of disadvantaged migrant youth during and after the demolition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rampant urbanization and medical marketization in China have resulted in increased vulnerabilities to health and socioeconomic disparities among the rural migrant workers in urban China. In the Chinese context, the socioeconomic characteristics of rural migrant workers have attracted considerable research attention in the recent past years. However, to date, no previous studies have explored the association between the socioeconomic factors and social security among the rural migrant workers in urban China. This study aims to explore the association between socioeconomic inequity and social security inequity and the subsequent associations with medical inequity and reimbursement rejection. Methods: Data from a regionally representative sample of 2009 Survey of Migrant Workers in Pearl River Delta in China were used for analyses. Multiple logistic regressions were used to analyze the impacts of socioeconomic factors on the eight dimensions of social security (sick pay, paid leave, maternity pay, medical insurance, pension insurance, occupational injury insurance, unemployment insurance, and maternity insurance) and the impacts of social security on medical reimbursement rejection. The zero-inflated negative binomial regression model (ZINB regression) was adopted to explore the relationship between socioeconomic factors and hospital visits among the rural migrant workers with social security. Results: The study population consisted of 848 rural migrant workers with high income who were young and middle-aged, low-educated, and covered by social security. Reimbursement rejection and abusive supervision for the rural migrant workers were observed. Logistic regression analysis showed that there were significant associations between socioeconomic factors and social security. ZINB regression showed that there were significant associations between socioeconomic factors and hospital visits among the rural migrant workers. Also, several dimensions of social security had significant associations with reimbursement rejections. Conclusions: This study showed that social security inequity, medical inequity, and reimbursement inequity happened to the rural migrant workers simultaneously. Future policy should strengthen health justice and enterprises' medical responsibilities to the employed rural migrant workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the association of rural schooling with empowerment of female rural migrant workers in remote Western China. It asks what school-related intrinsic and instrumental capabilities enhanced their urban lives and their role as 'drivers for development' in urbanizing China. The analysis of a long-term observational study of the females of one cluster of villages shows that recently-arrived (2015) young rural new-migrant workers manifested enhanced capabilities associated with their schooling in four dimensions of social freedoms: protective security against early arranged marriage, enhanced occupational opportunity, constructive social arrangements founded in rural identity, and cognitive and aspirational capabilities. Lower educational attainment and achievement are associated with fewer and weaker empowerment capabilities across all dimensions. Political empowerment capabilities in the sense of civil rights and entitlements have no foundation in earlier education and are lacking in their urban lives. However, a sense of 'voice' is beginning to take hold among young rural migrant women. Taking a female-centric capability perspective uncovers beneficial aspects of internal migration, contributing to a more holistically theorized understanding of associated social changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since market-oriented economic reform was launched in China in the 1980s, unemployment has been recognized by the government. This paper focuses on the differences in joblessness in rural and urban areas between rural migrant workers, peasants, and urban citizens. The results indicate that people in rural areas frequently lose their jobs, which differs from the traditional perception. There is a significantly lower jobless rate in urban areas. In contrast to the results of previous studies, the employment situation of rural migrant workers is closer to urban citizens rather than peasants. Logistic regression results show that the elderly, women, and less educated citizens have a higher likelihood of joblessness, both in urban and rural areas. Minorities have a lower likelihood of joblessness in rural areas and a higher likelihood in urban areas. Chinese Communist Party members and people without dependent children have a lower likelihood of joblessness in urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Whether training contributes to stabilizing employment among rural migrant workers in cities remains unclear. Based on this gap in the research, the purpose of this paper is to examine how on-the-job training affects rural migrant workers’ job mobility in China.Design/methodology/approach By using randomly sampled survey data on migrant workers in Liaoning province in 2014, the authors applied a logistic model and survival analysis to explore the effect of on-the-job training on migrant workers’ job turnover and understand workers’ job change behaviour after receiving on-the-job training.Findings The results showed that job training provided by employers can significantly reduce migrant workers’ turnover by increasing specific human capital. By contrast, training provided by the government or migrant workers themselves focuses on increasing general human capital and thus fails to reduce job turnover. Moreover, further discussion revealed that, in the trained group, those people with a short tenure and low wage in the first job, people without any skills before migration, male migrant workers, and people that work in medium-sized and large cities have a higher probability of changing jobs. These findings suggest that to tackle the high rate of job mobility among rural migrant workers, firms should entice this labour to train by adjusting their internal training mechanisms, and local governments should subsidize firms that provide on-the-job training for rural migrant workers to help share the costs and risks of training. Moreover, for sake of reducing job changing among those trained workers, firms even should take actions to protect their labour rights of migrant workers and to ensure that they receive equal treatment to their urban counterparts.Originality/value This paper makes three contributions to the field of job mobility in China. First, it explores the mechanism between on-the-job training and rural migrant workers’ job mobility. Second, it empirically analyses the effect of on-the-job training on migrant workers’ job mobility as well as the different effects of general and specific training. Lastly, its results have important policy implications for the employment stability of rural migrant workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, many rural migrant workers live in urbanising villages that are usually located in peripheral areas of major cities. Different from the spatial mismatch literature in which locations of minorities in the US are constrained by racial discrimination in the housing market, the residential segregation of rural migrant workers in China is largely due to China’s unique institutional context (e.g. land tenure system, hukou system) and the exclusionary housing regulations. Those living in these urbanising villages could incur both negative spatial mismatch effects and positive spillover effects. Through a survey across four mega-regions in China that are currently experiencing the most rapid urbanisation, we collect unique information on rural migrant workers’ attitudes towards living in urbanising villages, and therefore are able to address the self-selection bias that has broadly existed in many previous studies on residential segregation and spatial mismatch. The models show that the net effect of residential segregation in urbanising villages on migrant workers’ employment outcomes (both employment propensity and wage) appears to be positive, suggesting the spillover effects override the spatial mismatch effects. Current policy proposals by government officials to demolish urbanising villages should be accompanied by alternative policies to assist with housing migrant workers in appropriate locations that not only reduce spatial mismatch effects but also maintain positive spillover effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on a social constructionist approach and Philipsen's theoretical framework of cultural communication, this study examines how rural–urban migrant workers in China construct the meaning of home in their communication about migration. Interviews with migrant workers and participant observation of their everyday conversations reveal that migrant workers frequently evoke a cultural code of home attachment and actively construct a political code of displacement to construe their prolonged liminality between the city and the countryside. Implications for studying the use of culturally specific and politically situated discursive practices to address common challenges of displacement are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this article is to investigate the gender differences of rural migrant workers participating in social insurance involving three social protection models in four Chinese cities. The results show that, of the three models, the inclusive model has the highest participation rate and the independent model has the lowest. In general there are few gender differences in social insurance coverage. For both male and female participants, the factors which influence the participation of rural migrant workers in social insurance systems are age, income, education, enterprise ownership, labor contract, occupational mobility, and location. However, the relative importance of these factors in participation in social insurance is differentiated by gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This conceptual article contributes to institutional analysis and the neo-institutional theory literature by identifying and analysing the linked rules, values, norms and patterned practices that surround and structure the way rural migrant workers are treated in urban areas of China in terms of Scott's integrated model of institutions. It argues that these hukou-based rules, values, norms and patterned practices that discriminate against rural migrants can be considered to be a unique institution - the institution of hukou-based social exclusion ( IHSE). IHSE has dominated Chinese urban society for 3 decades and significantly shaped the lives of millions of rural migrant workers, the character of contemporary China and the nature of managerial practices among Chinese firms. This is the first article to examine the social exclusion of rural workers from the perspective of neo-institutionalism, providing the first systematic analysis of the regulative, normative and cognitive dimensions that together socially exclude migrants in urban areas of China. It presents a holistic picture of the newly identified institution that offers new insights into China's urban society and management, and a new starting point for research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Today's rapid growth of migrant populations has been a major contributor to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. However, relatively few studies have focused on HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related knowledge, attitudes, and practice among rural-to-urban migrants in China. This cross-sectional study was to assess HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and perceptions, including knowledge about reducing highrisk sex. Methods Two-phase stratified cluster sampling was applied and 2,753 rural migrants participated in this study. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was conducted in Guangdong and Sichuan provinces in 2007. Descriptive analysis was used to present the essential characteristics of the respondents. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression models were performed to examine the associations between identified demographic factors and high-risk sex, sexually transmitted disease (STD) symptoms, and access to HIV screening services among the seven types of workers. Results 58.6% of participants were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS transmission, but approximately 90% had a negative attitude towards the AIDS patients, and that 6.2% had engaged in highrisk sex in the past 12 months. Logistic regression analysis revealed sex, marital status, income, migration and work experience to be associated with high-risk sex. Among the 13.9% of workers who reported having STD symptoms, risk factors that were identified included female gender, high monthly income, being married, daily laborer or entertainment worker, frequent migration, and length of work experience. Only 3% of migrant workers received voluntary free HIV screening, which was positively associated with monthly income and workplace. Conclusions HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes, and practices among rural migrants in China remain a thorny health issue, and use of healthcare services needs to be improved. Low levels of education and knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among housekeepers and migrant day laborers result in this population likely being engaged in high-risk sex. Government programs should pay more attention to public education, health promotion and intervention for the control of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – From a macro perspective, the paper aims to present human resources challenges after the new leadership transition in China and propose future directions for policy and research in relation to human resource management and development. Design/methodology/approach – This essay is based on analyzing the most recent 2010 Chinese National Census data published in 2012 by the State Council of China incorporating the recent research on human resources in China. Findings – With a fundamental change in the nation's demographics, the population dividend supporting the high rate of economic growth in the past three decades has come to an end. China started to suffer severe skill shortages, and it is likely to be extended to a significant period of time. Due to the skill shortage and lacking of innovation, the rate of economic growth will significantly slow down for the coming decade and beyond. Reform in existing household registration system is required to facilitate new skills formation for rural migrant workers combining reform in training and education system. Originality/value – Addressing human resource issues at a macro level, the paper analyses the sources of human resource challenges facing the new national leadership and proposes directions for human resource policy reform and for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most research findings regarding anomia agree that women in the Western society have higher levels of anomia than men. The social role theory has often been employed to explain the gender differences in psychological states, arguing that women's poorer psychological wellbeing is primarily due to their segregated family roles that give little return values, and even if they participate in the sphere outside family, their public roles often involve conflict and tension with their family roles. Such a conclusion is derived from the research in Western industrialized settings. However, contemporary Chinese society is undergoing two major structural changes., gender imbalance and population migration, which may alter not only the social roles occupied by men and women but also their relative power in family. In such a social context, the current paper aims to explore whether there exist gender differences in anomia among rural migrant workers, and if there are, their determinant factors. The data for this study come from the "Rural-Urban Migrants Study in District Y, X City, Fujian" in 2009. The sample surveyed were rural-urban migrants aged 16 years and older with agricultural hukou who had migrated to X City to work. In order to improve the representativeness of the sample, a loose quota sampling method was adopted, and the final sample had 1,507 participants. Multivariate linear regression analysis of the data has produced the following findings about the rural migrant workers: First, men have higher levels of anomia than women. Second, the unmarried have a higher level of anomia than the married, with the older unmarried being worse, but there is no gender difference in the influence of marital status on anomia. Third, education, career, migration time, employment and other instrumental social roles and characteristics related to supporting family have a significant influence on anomia only among men. Fourth, resource-oriented social participation has a significant influence on anomia only among men, but emotion-oriented social participation has a significant influence on anomia only among women. Fifth, chronic diseases have a significant influence on anomia only among men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2010, a startling 18 young migrant workers attempted suicide at Foxconn Technology Group production facilities in China. This article looks into the development of the Foxconn Corporation to understand the advent of capital expansion and its impact on frontline workers’ lives in China. It also provides an account of how the state facilitates Foxconn’s production expansion as a form of monopoly capital. Foxconn stands out as a new phenomenon of capital expansion because of the incomparable speed and scale of its capital accumulation in all regions of China. This article explores how the workers at Foxconn, the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, have been subjected to work pressure and desperation that might lead to suicides on the one hand but also open up daily and collective resistance on the other hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to chart the sharp rise of informal employment in urban China in the last decade. It investigates the role of labour market regulations in shaping employment relations for those engaged in this form of employment and their employment outcome. It also examines various forms of organization and representation of these workers and the extent to which these mechanisms meet their needs. Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on secondary and first-hand empirical data. The secondary data come mainly from media sources and academic publications in China. The empirical data from interviews that the author has conducted with the labour authorities, trade union officials, workers, senior managers and owner CEOs of private firms in several cities. Findings – The paper concludes that the inadequacy of the function of employment agencies, the absence of a functioning social security system for workers in informal employment, and the lack of effective enforcement of employment-related regulations mean that the majority of the growing force of workers in this category will continue to be under-protected and disadvantaged. Research limitations/implications – This paper draws information from secondary data and a small number of interviews with key stakeholders in employment relations. Future research should conduct a larger study focusing on the views and experience of workers in the informal sector. Practical implications – This study reveals some skills gaps and training needs for trade union officials. It also brings to the policy makers' attention some loopholes in the labour regulations and their implementation. Social implications – The paper argues that providing decent employment conditions and work environment remains a key challenge to all concerned but is crucial to the well-being of workers and their families. Originality/value – The paper examines the efficacy of labour regulations in protecting workers in the informal sector in China by investigating the roles of different institutional actors. It adopts a relational and institutional approach to study the issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the housing consumption characteristics of rural migrant workers, we estimate and explain the trend of marginal housing consumption of rural migrant workers and the impact of income uncertainty on housing consumption, analyse the reasons why there is a structural imbalance in the housing supply for migrant workers and give policy recommendations for improving the housing supply situation. We argue that rural migrant workers are more conservative in housing consumption than urban and rural residents due to income uncertainty. The effect of income increase on housing consumption is far less than that on other consumption. These characteristics have to be taken into account in the formation of housing supply plans for rural migrant workers. [image omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years the government and the public have given more attention to formulating a social welfare policy for rural migrant workers in China's cities. However, in protecting their well-being an inclusive policy and institutional reform will be needed. This paper explores the needs of rural migrant workers living in the cities and the basic principles upon which an institutional framework could be developed for incorporating them into the urban social welfare system. It argues that political commitments made by the government, both in welfare provisions and in making appropriate institutional reform in the current dualistic welfare system separating the rural and the urban, must be in place before their welfare needs are met and welfare benefits are accessed. 近年来， 中国政府和公众对城市中的农民工的社会福利政策给予了更高的关注。 然而， 要提高农民工的福利水平还需要有更具包容性和制度化的改革。 本文探索农民工在城市中的生活状况， 以及将农民工纳入城市社会福利体系的制度构架、基本原则和社会经济环境。 作者认为， 要从根本上解决农民工的社会福利问题， 应该将他们纳入到城市社会福利体系之中。 为达到此目标， 在政府对农民工的社会福利做出了政治承诺的基础上， 关键是要针对农民工当前和将来在对社会福利的基本需要， 以及他们在城市中就业和生活的特点而设计合理的制度安排。 同样重要的是应该采取相应的社会行动而改善其社会环境， 以便使农民工能够真正融入城市社会。 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rural migrant worker population in China is attracting more and more attention because of its magnitude and potential economic and social impact on Chinese society. While literature abounds in describing the demographic trends and economic impacts of rural to urban migration, very few articles have been written about the psychosocial impacts of migration on the lives of rural migrant workers in urban China. Drawing on the concept of marginalisation, this article describes the nature and characteristics of marginalised living experienced by migrant workers. More importantly, it examines the underlying policy issues contributing to such marginalised living. It is argued that the Hukou system (household registration system), the process of decentralisation and the obscure role of trade unions have contributed to the experience of marginalisation of rural migrant workers in urban cities in China. Implications for policy changes are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]