Inspection teams dispatched to check on migrant workers' wages

Premier Li Keqiang asks locals if any migrant workers did not get their pay on Jan 23 during a visit to Ludian county in Southwest China's Yunnan province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The State Council has sent teams to inspect why some migrant workers are experiencing delays in wage payment, according to a news release on Monday night.

Inspections will focus on the construction sector, especially those involved in government-invested projects, and urge full payment for migrant workers each month.

Malicious delays will be investigated and punished while channels for migrant workers' complaints should be opened, such as portal websites and the "12333" hotline.

These teams also will check out the progress of establishing a long-term mechanism to comprehensively tackle delayed wages, with a focus on establishing a blacklist of violators with full public disclosure.

Provincial-level governments are required to take full charge while city and county governments carry out specific measures to ensure punctual payments for migrant workers.

The government should put forward a long-term solution to protect the rights of migrant workers and ensure they are paid on time, Premier Li Keqiang told a State Council executive meeting on Feb 3. It's a significant part of the government's proactive employment policy, he added.

Wage delays have often been burdening China's 280 million migrant workers who travel from rural areas to cities for better-paid opportunities.

In late January, a 47-year-old farmer Gan Yongrong complained about wage delays to the premier during his visit to Ludian county in Southwest China's Yunnan province. Gan's earned wages of 50,000 yuan ($7,352) had been delayed for two years.

"This is the responsibility of companies and the government. Legal rights of migrant workers must be protected," the premier told local officials on site.