Rural migrants working in cities owed back wages are getting paid now.

China's Vice Minister of Construction, Huang Wei, says the wages owed to these farmer-workers in 2003 totaled US$1.93 billion, of which 98 percent had been paid by the end of June this year.

Huang Wei says the wages still outstanding are expected to be paid by the end of this year.

He says the main reasons for the unpaid wages include non-payment of funds for construction projects and credit restrictions.

Huang Wei says China needs to tighten legislation in this regard.

(CRI August 27, 2004)