The Status of "Socially Vulnerable Groups" in China
Introductory note: We have received this article from a Chinese sympathizer who gives a very good insight to the real situation facing millions of workers in China. In spite of all the gloss about the economic development of China in the past few years thanks to the introductions of "market economy" methods, there is another side to the situation. The closure of state-run industries is creating millions of unemployed and to these further millions are added from the rural areas drifting to the cities in desperate search of work. Although we may not agree with some of the conclusions such as the explanation that the emergence of socially vulnerable groups in the urban areas is a "temporary phenomenon in the socioeconomic transition" we believe the article is useful in understanding what is happening in Chinese society today. The paragraphs in italics are taken from the Chinese press.