More of China’s aging migrant workers have no choice but to keep working because they cannot afford to retire – and the industries they work are struggling to replace them.
“Retirement-age migrant workers make up more than half of workers on some construction sites. Where can I find young workers now?” Zou Kui, a general contractor, told the Workers’ Daily.
The retirement age in China is 60 for men, 55 for female white-collar workers and 55 and 50 for male and female blue-collar employees respectivly.
Retirement-age migrant workers often still support their children or grandchildren. Many are stuck having to help their adult children purchase their first house in a pricey real estate market. Even if they have already done these, they have to continue work to save money for their own retirement life, wrote Yang Chaoqing, a commentator with the Beijing Youth Daily.
Also, most young people prefer to work white-collar jobs and see manual labor as beneath them, Yang added.
Authorities should do more to protect the interests of old migrant workers, such as provide higher income, medical insurance, ensure safety and timely wages, Yang said.
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