ABSTRACT
Temporary migration or “floating labor” has become an important social and economic phenomenon in China. The major portion of these temporary migrants came from rural areas; according to some reports, the total number of “rural laborers” reached 120 million in 2006 (State Council Research Group, 2006: 4). Many middle school students arrive in cities and towns to search for work opportunities after graduation, becoming the major source of labor in cities in construction, manufacturing, and the service industries. Their low salary and welfare are the foundation of the highly competitive prices of Chinese goods sold all around the world.
