More than 300 million migrant workers in China are living in cities without permanent residence cards and without the right to basic social services. Ten years ago, Zhengzhou, the capital of central China's Henan Province, launched a major reform of the household registration system, but was soon overwhelmed.
The traffic light is green, but you never seem to reach it. That’s what it’s like to drive in Zhengzhou today. Ten years ago the there were two million people here. But after a looser household registration controls in 2003 its population exploded.
“In August 2003, the government introduced a scheme that gave migrants household registration if they had relatives in the city. The registered population shot up by 150,000 in a year. The rapid population increase took its toll on public services.” Liu Daoxing, vice president of Henan Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, said.
It’s not just the roads that can’t cope. Schools became overcrowded, with classrooms in some primary schools packed with more than 90 children, double the normal size. Social welfare and insurance programs were also stretched with many newcomers eligible for government subsidies.
"Our school used to be a rather small one 10 years ago. In 2005, each class swelled to more than 90 students. So we had to expand it. Now 95% students are the children of migrant workers in our school.” Li Shuling, principal of Liulin No. 4 Primary School, said.
After eight months, Zhengzhou restored some of its restrictions on new registrations and returning to temporary residential permits. But it remained relatively open. In November this year, the city started issuing new temporary city residence cards. People who have them are entitled to education and other public services.
“Anyone who applied for the new residence card is entitled to at least 9 public services same as the locals. They can rent a public housing. Their children can go to school without paying more. And they can sign for the local’s driving school and register their new cars as well. ” Liu Jing with Zhengzhou Municipal Public Security Bureau said.
32-year-old Huang Yunguang was the first to get his new residence card. Like 3.4 million other migrants in the city, he decided to settle down, and raise a family here. The greater number of basic public services the new card entitles him to gives him confidence to live in the city.
“I’ve already bought an apartment here. What made me really happy is that my kids will have the same opportunity as local children to go to school. I can register my car as well. It’s more fair than before. ” Huang Yunguang, principal of Kindyroo International Early Childhood Development Academy, said.
China’s urbanization rate hit 52 percent in 2012. However, only 27 percent of the national population has an urban registration entitling them to residential welfare in the city. More than 300 million migrant workers have to go without. They want more reform of the residence-permit system and expansion and the right to basic public services.
Reporter: “Zhengzhou’s household registration reform was seen as one of the most drastic in China. It’s a mark of social progress, but it can only succeed if the infrastructure and facilities have been put into place.”
