It is important to grant migrant workers the right of speech for social fairness, says an article in China Youth Daily. An excerpt follows:

Mayor of Beijing Wang Qishan made a moving speech at the Municipal People's Political Consultative Conference on Sunday, saying that the millions of migrant workers in the capital have contributed much to the city and deserve fair treatment.

Issues concerning migrant workers have been hot topics at sessions of the National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference every year, which shows that society has given much attention to this group. But these issues are always raised by non-migrant-worker deputies and members. The loss of speech by the migrant population has already put them at a disadvantage.

Obviously the migrant population knows best about their needs. But it is rare to see migrant workers in the people's congress and political consultative conference at various levels.

It would be much better if migrant workers themselves could raise the topic of fair treatment and tell the public about their actual needs.

It is gratifying that in Dongguan, south China's Guangdong Province, some migrant laborers became members of local people's political consultative conference this year for the first time.

Members of the people's political consultative conference can easily become spokespeople for their fields and trades. Against such a background, the members should come from different groups to represent the interests of various areas of society.

Migrant workers rarely have the opportunity to participate in political activities, which is just an important reason why their legal rights and interests are always ignored. Migrant workers have little say in issues concerning their own interests.

It is important to grant the migrant population the right of speech. Equal rights are the key to guaranteeing social fairness.

(China Daily January 31, 2007)