The number of China's estimated 200 million migrant workers
covered by medical insurance increased from 4.9 million at the end
of 2005 to 18.4 million at the end of this September, the National
Development and Reform Commission said on Thursday.
Migrant workers covered by employers' liability insurance also
surged by 79.3 percent to 22.4 million in the first nine months of
the year thanks to China's greater efforts to protect their
rights.
China's economic boom has driven an unprecedented army of about
200 million people to swap farms for factories, construction sites
and mines as they seek a higher income.
A survey by the State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) in
nine provinces shows that migrant workers account for 80 percent of
China's 30 million-plus construction personnel. They also make up
56 percent of those employed in mining, dangerous chemicals and
fireworks factories.
The survey also shows that almost all the workers at small
collieries are migrants. Even in state-owned collieries
almost all the non-management jobs are filled by such workers.
Poor safety facilities, slack safety rules and a lack of proper
training have made migrant workers the most vulnerable group in
terms of work safety.
To protect their interests the Chinese government has been
pushing for wider insurance coverage in dangerous industries such
as coal mining and construction. By the end of last year almost all
the migrant workers in major state-owned collieries had been
covered by employers' liability insurance.
China is also trying to strengthen the training of these workers
as the SAWS survey shows that 90 percent of industrial accidents
are caused by human error and 80 percent occur in work places
dominated by a migrant workforce.
A SAWS directive states migrant workers in dangerous industries
must receive no less than 72 hours of safety training before they
begin work. For those in the construction industry the minimum
requirement is 32 hours. The guidelines also require no less than
20 hours of safety training for each worker annually.
(Xinhua News Agency November 17, 2006)