It is a responsibility of the government to prevent the marginalization of migrant workers, says a signed article in Guangzhou Daily. An excerpt follows:

The central bank issued a circular on strengthening financial services for migrant workers recently. It said more favourable policies would be provided to guarantee migrant workers' payment security, loans for their occupational training and schooling.

Actually, only by bringing migrant workers' interests into consideration when making financial, fiscal, employment and urban development policies can marginalization of migrant workers be avoided. It is also a due responsibility of the government.

The tide of migrant workers is a special phenomenon in China's modernization process. So far the total number is about 150 million. Chinese society is in an unprecedented population flow, which is causing a profound impact on economic development, social structure, culture and psychology. Migrant workers have propped up a low-labour-priced industrial transition and rapid urbanization for a rather long period. But there are many burdens on them that marginalize them in urban life.

First, they lack basic social security. By the end of last year, only about 10 per cent had medical insurance. Even fewer have unemployment or childbirth insurances.

Second, the cost of urban living is rather a burden, and on the rise. The increase in migrant workers' incomes cannot catch up with rising commodity prices.

Third, the cost of their children's education is burdening them. They work hard in an effort to change the lives of their children, but educational expenditures normally account for one-third of their total family consumption.

Fourth, when urban dwellers are complaining about high housing prices, migrant workers are suffering more. They can hardly pay the renting cost, let alone buy.

Last but not least, infringement of migrant workers' interests and rights is quite rampant.

More people should be able to enjoy the fruits of reform and modernization in a human-oriented society of harmony. The central bank's measures have taken a good lead. More efforts should follow up in the institutional and policy arena.