From the Readers
Unfair to block migrant workers
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-20 06:10
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Comment on "Population control mooted in Beijing" (China Daily, Aug 4)
The article says: "... the Beijing people's congress has advocated a restriction of low-wage workers in the capital through closures of small businesses." They may call themselves the Beijing "people's congress", but what they are doing will hurt, not help, the people.
These small businesses are good for the economy. They not only produce goods and services that people want to buy, but also are a way for poor people to make a living and improve their lives. Hence, what the Beijing people's congress has mooted is not a good move.
I agree totally with those who say the existence of a huge number of small businesses, which absorb migrant workers, in the capital shows there is a great demand for such people. These migrant workers provide inexpensive services to the public, too. It is not fair to stop them from entering the city, because apart from denying them their livelihood it may also drive up city residents' costs of living.
The article also says Shunyi district "began shutting down small junkyards beginning in early 2008, and had brought their numbers down by 60 percent by 2009." In my opinion, the district authorities should be ashamed of themselves. These junkyards recycle materials and thus help conserve resources, which is a useful service. Why should the authorities be proud of shutting down such useful units? I simply don't understand the Beijing government's way of thinking.
Joseph Stevano, via e-mail
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(China Daily 08/20/2010 page9)