Wen ‖ Tianyu Du Ge
In the context of China's sustained economic growth, how to further stimulate the potential of domestic demand, especially how to tap the consumption potential of the vast number of migrant workers, has become the focus of attention of policymakers and scholars. Chi Fulin, president of China's Hainan Institute for Reform and Development, proposed in the "Roundtable Discussion, 2024 China's Economic Quarterly Observation" that if 300 million migrant workers truly enjoy the treatment of citizens, at least 12 trillion yuan of total consumption can be released. This view has aroused widespread social concern and discussion, including concerns about the actual living plight of migrant workers and doubts about the effectiveness of the policy.
As a unique social group in China, migrant workers move between urban and rural areas and make great contributions to urban construction and development. However, due to the imperfect household registration system and social security system, migrant workers often do not enjoy the same public services as urban residents, such as education, medical care, and pension. This inequality not only affects their quality of life, but also limits their spending power. Therefore, improving the treatment of migrant workers is not only a requirement of social fairness and justice, but also an important way to promote economic development.
Although the consumption potential of migrant workers is huge, the practical problems they face cannot be ignored. Many migrant workers do not have a high income level, and they are often living on the margins of subsistence. Once they encounter problems such as illness and aging, and lack of adequate medical security and pension support, their economic situation will deteriorate rapidly. In this case, even if there is potential for consumption, it may be difficult to consume because of concerns about the future.
The key to unleashing the consumption potential of migrant workers lies in solving their worries. This requires the government to put more effort into the social security system, including improving the medical insurance, pension insurance and other systems to ensure that migrant workers can receive the necessary help when they encounter difficulties. At the same time, it is also necessary to improve the working environment of migrant workers, increase their income levels, and allow them to have more money to spend.
To improve the treatment of migrant workers, it is also necessary to break down the barriers between urban and rural areas, and promote the reform of the household registration system, so that migrant workers can more easily obtain urban hukou and enjoy the same education and medical services as urban residents. This can not only improve the social status of migrant workers, but also promote the integrated development of urban and rural areas and narrow the gap between urban and rural areas.
Of course, while unleashing the consumption potential of migrant workers, we cannot ignore the concern for other groups. As some netizens have pointed out, it is necessary to pay attention not only to migrant workers, but also to other low-income groups and vulnerable groups. The improvement of the social security system should benefit all those in need, so as to build a more harmonious society and promote the common prosperity of the whole society.
While solving the income problem, it is also necessary to pay attention to the social security of migrant workers. At present, the level of protection for migrant workers in terms of medical care and pension is relatively low, which makes them feel helpless and worried in the face of risks such as illness and pension. Therefore, the government should strengthen the construction of the social security system for migrant workers and improve their level of protection. This includes improving the medical insurance system to reduce the medical burden of migrant workers; establishing and improving the old-age insurance system to ensure that their livelihood is guaranteed in their old age; and at the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen the housing security for migrant workers and provide them with stable living conditions.
To truly unleash the consumption potential of migrant workers, we also need to pay attention to their consumption needs and consumption environment. The consumption needs of migrant workers are different from those of urban residents, and they pay more attention to practicality and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, in the process of promoting the urbanization of migrant workers, we should fully consider their consumption characteristics and needs, and provide them with more suitable products and services. At the same time, it is also necessary to strengthen supervision and control of the consumer market, crack down on counterfeit and shoddy products, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of migrant workers.
The role of the government is crucial in this process. The government should play a guiding and regulating role, and encourage enterprises to raise the wages of migrant workers and improve working conditions through policy incentives and financial support. At the same time, the government should also strengthen market supervision to prevent wage arrears and other acts that infringe on the rights and interests of migrant workers.
Unleashing the consumption potential of migrant workers and improving their treatment is a systematic project, which requires the joint efforts of the government, enterprises and all sectors of society. Only when migrant workers no longer worry about their future can they truly unleash their huge consumption potential and inject new vitality into the sustainable development of China's economy. This is not only a concern for migrant workers, but also an investment in the future of the country. Let us all hope that in the near future, every hard-working migrant worker will be able to enjoy the treatment they deserve as citizens and live a happy and healthy life.