Local officials of the Chinese capital have denied reports that
the city plans to expel about one million rural migrant workers for
the duration of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Some local newspapers reported earlier Friday that officials
with Beijing 2008 Environmental Construction Headquarters discussed
legislation to "repatriate" workers during the 16 days of the
games.
"The migrant workers will be persuaded to return to their
hometowns and people who want to come to Beijing at that time
should submit a testimonial issued by at least a county
government," the Beijing News said.
The newspaper, using a whole page to cover the story, said it
learnt of the proposals at a conference on Thursday to discuss key
issues that ought to be solved through lawmaking.
Yet an official with the headquarters, Zhou Jidong, said the
Beijing News report was "groundless".
Zhou told Xinhua, "There are no plans for making any laws or
decisions to force migrant workers out of Beijing during the
Olympic Games."
Zhou said the newspapers reported "just some suggestions put
forward by the experts attending the conference and they are by no
means what the Beijing municipal government is trying to
implement".
The official said they will release a written announcement later
Friday for further clarification.
According to the newspapers, the conference discussed a list of
proposals for maintaining public order and traffic management
during the Olympics, which also includes suggestions for:
-- permitting car use on alternate days according to whether a
vehicle license plate ends with an odd or even number.
-- providing assistance to homeless people and beggars.
-- reducing the number of people working in "small hairdressing
salons", which are commonly perceived to be covers for
prostitution.
Officials with the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic
Games said they are considering a response to inquiries on the
issues.
Beijing is estimated to have a rural migrant population of about
four million, of whom a quarter are thought to be construction
workers.
(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2006)