Migrant workers' happiness depends on available public services

A report by Renmin University on migrant workers' happiness in 2013 shows they feel lonely despite the increase in their incomes. The government should improve public services for migrant workers, says an editorial in the 21st Century Business Herald. Excerpts:

The urbanization of China forces a large number of farmers to become migrant workers. They are an isolated group of people and seldom interact with the urban society during their stay in cities. This kind of life is against human nature. They sell their labor for money. How happy they are depends on how hopeful they feel about their future.

When they find they cannot change their fate through hard work, it is impossible for them to feel happy.

If migrant workers can be covered by the urban public service network in the fields of housing, medical care and education, they will be happier. So this should be a government priority.