Although Shenzhen has maintained double digit growth for years, the salaries of its workers have not changed much. Some low-level workers have not seen any pay rises in the past 10 years.

Qiu Honghe from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province said he could only afford to return to his hometown once in four years.

"I receive 1,400 RMB (about 206 USD) per month. The round-trip from Shenzhen to my hometown is 1,600 RMB. It would be a luxury for me to go hometown often," Qiu said.

In 2009, Shenzhen's total output reached 820 billion RMB (120.6 billion USD). That meant GDP per capita hit 93,000 RMB (about 13,600 USD) -- roughly the level of a moderately developed economy.

"Without an institutional guarantee to secure the interests of workers, the goal of common-prosperity can hardly be realized," said Sun Yat-sen University Professor Yue Jinglun.

The Shenzhen legislature is not alone in empowering workers.

In July, Guangdong provincial legislature reviewed a draft law concerning labor disputes and wage negotiations.

Legislatures in the cities of Shanghai, Tianjin and Xiamen have also started procedures to draft similar laws.

"After achieving great economic results, the special economic zone of Shenzhen is now creating a pilot labor dispute settlement mechanism. It will help achieve the goal of common prosperity," said Yue.