They are also Parents They Are Also Parents - A Study on Migrant Workers | Page 8

CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
• This meant for example, that over 80% parents of left-behind children
CCR CSR | A Study on Migrant Workers with Left-behind Children in China | August 2013
1. Overview
reported feeling “inadequate” in their role as parents and 70% experienced
strong feelings of guilt and anxiety as a result of separation, and the
breakdown in communication and intimacy with their children. Many said
1.1 Why do migrant worker parents deserve greater attention?
they would move back home immediately if there were jobs available, and
of the top five reasons parents reportedly considered resigning from their According to a survey by the National Bureau of Statistics, in 2012 there were
jobs, three were related to family issues, including “taking better care of 262 million migrant workers in China. Of these, only 34 million were able to
their children.” take their families with them when migrating away from home, leaving the
vast majority separated from their loved ones. This happened partly due
• Parents’ key expectations in terms of support included more flexible working
to limited access to education, health-care and other social services, which
hours (64%), assistance with housing (54%) and access to schooling for migrant population is entitled to away from home, as a result of China’s
their children (72%). However less than a quarter of the workers surveyed existing social registration (hukou) system. In face of the hardship, many
felt they were supported as parents in the workplace. parents choose to leave their children in the home village when migrating for
work, and over time this separation gave rise to a highly vulnerable group
While there is a general awareness of workers concerns at the company of more than 61 million ‘left-behind children’ struggling with emotional and
level, the assistance offered is still ad-hoc and leaves room for significant developmental problems. According to research conducted by UNICEF and
improvement. However, in the face of deepening labor shortage and the Committee for Children and Women under the State Council in 2005, left-
significant challenges with turnover, migrant worker parents are likely to behind children are prone to dysfunctional communication with their parents
emerge as core of more stable and experienced workforce, proving to be a and significant problems with education.
key asset to company operations. By taking the needs of migrant families into
consideration, and helping to leverage community and government resources, On the other hand, the 29 million children who were able to migrate together
companies are in position to make a profound difference in the lives of millions with their family are also known to face substantial problems, due to the lack
of workers, and to take lead in social services innovation. of time and financial means by their parents to provide a good upbringing.
Because of their background and unequal distribution of educational
resources, the migrant children are often isolated from their local peers and
find it difficult to integrate. What’s more, because migrant children cannot
attend college entrance examinations (gao kao) outside their hometowns,
the majority are forced to return home to attend secondary schools, which
effectively means they are once again left-behind.
Most research to date proves that parents’ work in the city has a significant
negative effect on their children, who tend to be less optimistic and suffering
from anxiety disorders, isolation, low self-esteem and self-awareness,
depression, behavioral problems and diminished learning capacity. However,
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