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Migrants' children need care

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-24 07:54

The story of a mother traveling about 2,000 km on a motorcycle from Zhejiang province to her home in Chongqing municipality to see her child has moved many people. Children and senior citizens left behind in rural areas by migrant workers deserve more attention, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

It is natural that people throng to railway stations to catch trains back home before Spring Festival. These people, a large percentage of whom are migrant workers, wait for a year to be reunited with their families for the lunar new year.

That many people, like the desperate woman who had to ride pillion for about 2,000 km to see her child, cannot manage to get even a train ticket reflects the failure of transport officials to create enough room for everyone who wants to travel back home for Spring Festival.

Millions of children left behind by migrant workers in rural areas grow up without the love and care of their parents. And elderly parents of migrant workers are left to fend for themselves; in many cases, they also have to take care of their grandchildren. Rural and urban area administrations say they don't know how to deal with this problem. As a result, many children of migrant workers grow up without love, proper care and education.

Therefore, it is necessary for local governments in areas where such children live to take measures to ensure that they get good education and better living conditions.

Moreover, government departments in cities should make efforts to reunite these children with their families at least on important occasions such as Spring Festival. Besides, these children should be provided the amenities available to children in urban areas and made to feel that they are part of mainstream society.