They are also Parents They Are Also Parents - A Study on Migrant Workers | Page 44

CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
6. Migrant workers’ expectations for support
knew that child labor, as well as putting children in contract with work-related
hazards, were forbidden. However, nearly a quarter of migrant workers
marked “unsure” when asked what they knew about CSR and children’s rights.
6.1 Business support
6.2 Government support
The main expectations for help included easier access to schools (72%), more
flexible working hours (64%) and the provision of housing subsidies (54%). At present very few migrant workers think that government has provided them
Flexible work arrangement was particularly important on the day-to-day basis with relevant assistance, in particular with access to affordable housing or equal-
to allow for picking up children from school and dealing with sickness and opportunity education. This was especially the case in terms of migrant children
emergency. Company-based kindergartens and tutoring centers were frequently having to return to their hometown to attend high-school and sit for the national
mentioned as a potential way to solve some of these problems. college entrance examinations. More than half of all workers interviewed said
that they had also hoped for improved social security benefits.
While the companies did provide some assistance with flexible work schedules,
parental training and provision of family housing, only 23% of migrant Chongqing offers a few innovative policy solutions, including provision of
workers surveyed felt supported by the companies in their role as parents. inexpensive public housing, for which the workers in a specific income bracket
can qualify. New industrial parks in the area also offer good-quality worker
At the same time, migrant workers had a limited understanding of the
dormitories and accommodation reserved for families.
responsibilities of business in the development of children, which pointed
to a need for stronger engagement and awareness building. Most said they
Figure 25: Company assistance for employees with children
6.3 NGO support
Low-cost but safe and reliable public welfare services, including services
helping improve children’s social integration abilities, and their relationships
70%
with parents were at the top of possible NGO assistance mentioned by the
60%
workers. However, the study found that overall awareness of NGO work
50%
was low, and that at present only 7% of migrant workers or their close
40%
acquaintances have received help from social organizations.
30%
20%
10%
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0%
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