Construction sites see rise in female workers

Competitive job market leads more women to endure poor living conditions, low pay and intense physical demand

"I work from 6 am to 8 pm every day and have hardly any holiday time throughout the year," said Li Guozhi, a 47-year-old female construction worker in Beijing's Fengtai district.

Li, from Hubei province, came to Beijing in 2003 with her husband. They both work on a construction site, moving bricks, transporting sand and painting buildings. "I have to work hard every day to support my family. However, the salary is very low, only 20 yuan per day, if you can imagine that."