Shanghai Migrant Worker

Posted by kylie (Shanghai, China) on 18 November 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

Shanghai has an estimated 4 million "migrant workers", people from the poorer, rural parts of China who flock to Shanghai in search of money and a better life. The reality is that life for them can be very hard in the big city. Generally they end up doing the jobs that the locals don't want to do - cooking, cleaning, street sweeping, garbage removal, construction work - all the lowest paid jobs. For many, work is often irregular, and there are many hours and days where the migrant workers are unemployed. It is quite common to see them sitting on the roadside (often with signs asking for work) as they wait for the next job to come along. Because they are illegal and unregistered immigrants in Shanghai, they don't enjoy the same benefits as local Shanghainese such as subsidized housing, health care, education. Because it is so expensive to live here, migrant workers often leave their children behind in their home province to be raised by the grandparents, while they search for work in Shanghai and try to send money home to their families. It can be so difficult for them even just surviving every day, and yet their endurance, perseverance and seemingly unbreakable spirit is really amazing to see. Eventually many manage to make a life for themselves and their families here, finding regular work or starting their own businesses. Its the common dream shared by all to find a better life.

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