SHENZHEN was named one of China's 10 "most attractive cities for migrants" for the welfare policies and working environment enjoyed by migrant workers in the city, China Central Television (CCTV) announced yesterday (Feb 7).

Shenzhen Vice Mayor Liang Daoxing received an award from Liu Xiaoyan, a model migrant worker from Shenzhen, at a ceremony in Wenzhou City in Zhejiang Province.

File Photo: Shenzhen

The list, compiled after a five-month survey launched by CCTV, also included Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Suzhou, Wuxi and Wenzhou.

As a city where the migrant population surpasses that of permanent residents, Shenzhen has been greatly improving the living conditions of migrant workers.

In a symbolic move showing the city's care for its migrants, Mayor Xu Zongheng saw off over 1,000 homebound migrant workers at a long-distance bus station Tuesday.

The workers' travel costs were covered by Shenzhen Charity Association and Shenzhen Welfare Lottery Center, which bought bus tickets for 1,347 migrant workers traveling to nine provinces.

Xu called the migrant workers "the most lovable people" and promised to make Shenzhen "a home away from home" for migrant workers.

"We will continue to take care of migrant workers, help them solve problems, improve their working conditions and make their life more secure," said Xu.

"The city still has some problems in protecting the rights of migrant workers. But trust me, the city government will take better care of you and make sure you live with respect and dignity," Xu told the migrant workers.

Editor: Wing