Op-Ed Contributors

Migrants key to development

By Jiang Changyun (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-09 08:02

Rural laborers moving into cities can aid both urban and rural development if their problems are tackled properly

At present, China's economy is enjoying high growth thanks to the process of industrialization and urbanization. But, the problems of farmers-turned-workers are closely related to both the city and the countryside and are a fulcrum to balance urban and rural development.

The migrant workers issue has a profound influence on China's rural development as it concerns coordination between urban and rural areas and the equality of basic public services. In recent years, the number of rural migrants in cities has increased, especially for those younger generations with higher education and abilities, which has led to two issues.

For one thing, it has limited progress in the rural economy. With the exodus of a high-quality labor force, the rural economy is becoming purely agricultural. Meanwhile, since migrant workers can earn more money in cities, for many farmer households non-agricultural revenues are now their major source of income.

Furthermore, as fewer people below the age of 45 work in the countryside, some areas are facing the problems of an aging population and weakened labor force, to the extent that some villages are "hollowing out" as farmers move their whole family to cities.

For another thing, with rural migrants working or doing business in cities, their children are frequently left behind without enough care and attention, and many are then deprived of education and parental guidance.

According to international experience and China's own reality, the above issues could easily harm the nation's agricultural competitiveness and self-development. Hence, it is important to promote the diversification of the rural economy.

In Europe, the EU agreed a Common Agricultural Policy in 2004, and it now applies specific measures to boost diversity in rural areas and create more job opportunities in the countryside in a bid to improve living standards in rural areas.