Chinese Migrant Workers: 12-Hour Days, 20 Euro Pay, Six Days a Week | Die Zeit (DE)
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Chinese migrant workers endure grueling conditions, working 12-hour days for 20 euros and six days a week.
- Many, like Wang Yunfei, see their children only once a year, sacrificing family life for economic opportunity.
- These migrant workers are described as the engine of China's economic miracle, though some now regret their choices.
Millions of migrant workers in China, like Wang Yunfei, are the driving force behind the nation's economic miracle, enduring harsh conditions to build the country's prosperity. They work 12-hour days, six days a week, earning a meager 20 euros, and often see their families, including their children, only once a year.
This demanding lifestyle involves significant personal sacrifice, with family reunions occurring just annually. The article highlights the immense contribution of these laborers to China's rapid economic development. However, it also touches upon a growing sense of regret among some workers who question the long-term cost of their choices.
Wang Yunfei's story exemplifies the difficult reality faced by countless individuals who leave their homes in pursuit of better economic prospects. Their labor fuels industries and infrastructure projects, but the personal toll is profound, raising questions about the sustainability of this model of growth and the well-being of the workers themselves.
The parents see themselves and their daughter only once a year: Wang Yunfei and millions of migrant workers are the engine of China's economic miracle. Today he regrets it.
Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.