Give migrant workers their rightful due

Migrant workers have played and are still playing an important role in China's industrialization and urbanization, but they lack necessary social welfare in terms of employment and retirement benefits compared with urban workers.

True, the authorities have taken steps, including providing a monthly subsidy of 55 yuan ($8.9) each to senior citizens in rural areas, but the amount is too small to meet even the basic needs of these people.

With China's growing aging population, many people in rural areas are becoming old before becoming well off because they don't get basic pension and have no old-age security.