China bosses told to clear migrant workers’ dues or face ‘severe’ punishment as Lunar New Year approaches

Local governments should ensure all dues are settled as soon as possible, State Councillor Shen Yiqin tells teleconference on labour rights

Analyst cites ‘social instability’ risk as many of China’s 295.6 million migrant workers feel the effects of a shaky post-pandemic economic recovery

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Migrant workers, who have powered China’s rapid urbanisation, are often denied social security benefits in an unregulated market. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:00pm, 1 Dec 2023Updated: 7:16pm, 1 Dec 2023

Government bodies around China have been urged to make sure migrant workers’ dues are cleared and they get paid on time, as 2023 draws to a close and the Lunar New Year holiday season nears.

During a teleconference in Beijing on Thursday, State Councillor Shen Yiqin called for “severe” punishments for intentional salary delays, as she emphasised the need to protect workers’ legitimate interests.

Shen oversees a task force on employment and labour protection in the State Council, China’s cabinet.

The year-end is a time of widespread wage arrears, and local governments should investigate such cases to identify hidden problems so that all dues are settled as soon as possible, Shen told the conference.

State Councillor Shen Yiqin (centre) addresses a national teleconference on clearing wage arrears for migrant workers, in Beijing on Thursday. Photo: Xinhua

“It is necessary to severely punish intentional salary delay … [and] help migrant workers solve any temporary problems they might have with their daily lives,” Shen said.

China bosses told to clear migrant workers’ dues or face ‘severe’ punishment as Lunar New Year approaches

Local governments should ensure all dues are settled as soon as possible, State Councillor Shen Yiqin tells teleconference on labour rights Analyst cites ‘social instability’ risk as many of China’s 295.6 million migrant workers feel the effects of a shaky post-pandemic economic recovery

Local governments should ensure all dues are settled as soon as possible, State Councillor Shen Yiqin tells teleconference on labour rights

Analyst cites ‘social instability’ risk as many of China’s 295.6 million migrant workers feel the effects of a shaky post-pandemic economic recovery