Voices of the Voiceless (An Account by a Chinese Migrant Worker)

Author: Pan Yi et al.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-20
Features: The experience of Oxfam in China's development aid projects lies in strengthening partnerships with governments at all levels, universities, research institutions, civil organizations, and impoverished and vulnerable groups. Under the premise of collaboration across society, the goals of poverty alleviation and rights protection are achieved, jointly addressing the issues faced by migrant workers, laid-off workers, informal workers, especially women and people with disabilities. Whether such efforts succeed depends on whether, during brainstorming sessions, we truly reflect the voices of millions of working people and ensure that their voices are heard. "Voices of the Voiceless—Chinese Migrant Women's Narratives" is a commendable attempt under the "Women Workers Care" initiative. It records the voices of grassroots migrant women in a direct and comprehensive manner, making them true subjects of development and practicing their right to express opinions. The book documents the stories of 16 migrant women. Upon arriving in the city with high hopes, they often face: daily overtime work, threats of occupational diseases and workplace injuries, unpaid wages and physical humiliation, as well as the indifference and discrimination of the city. However, they do not know how to protect their legitimate rights and interests, and even when they resist, they often fail to achieve comprehensive victories. Yet why do they still keep pouring into the city? Why do they move to the city, then return to their hometowns, and then go back to the city again? Is migrant labor in the city merely to earn a little more income or to broaden their horizons? There is one thing we can be certain of: the prosperity of the city depends on the hard work of migrant women. Therefore, they should not be made to shed bitter tears!