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Urban migrants are physically set apart from the local urban population which only serves to highlight their social and financial segregation from urban society as well. The living conditions of the Chinese migrant worker are generally inadequate. 61 percent have no toilet and 57 percent have no kitchen. In large cities, such as Beijing, Shenzhen, and Shanghai, more than half live in ‘urban villages’ characterized by poor quality housing, insufficient safety and hygiene, limited infrastructure, and social disorder. Most migrants are attracted to these areas because they are the only source of inexpensive housing, and meager but affordable healthcare. Typically, these areas are avoided by the local urban population. Some factories also offer housing to their employees, and at a lower rent, but these are often overcrowded. Some rooms are reported to house up to 30 workers without ventilation or adequate sanitation facilities. |
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