A Chinese famous philosopher, Confucius said, at the age of 30, a man should stand firm on the ground and at 40 he should have no more doubts. This philosophy used to be true for many ordinary Chinese people.

But for those migrant workers who came to Beijing in the 1980s and early 90s and are now in their forties or fifties, they are still not standing firm on the ground of the city, and have many doubts.

They are finding it hard to keep their jobs as their age is not favored by most employers.

On the other hand, they are reluctant to return to farm work, which is more arduous and pays less than in the city.

41-year-old Lei from Henan Province in central China is in such a dilemma. He has been in Beijing for 9 years and is now employed by a real estate company as a repairman.

I met him in the basement of a residential building where he was inspecting the drainage system.

He tells me he is just here because the situation back in his hometown is not good.

"You cannot make money by growing grain. You can only get yourself enough food, but no money. And without money, you can't do many things."

His wife and son are also in Beijing. With a salary of 700 yuan, or less than 100 US dollars a month, he can barely support his family. But this is much better than being a farmer.

However, he has been thinking more and more of going home, as it's getting harder to live here now.

He feels he is being squeezed out of the job market. Many companies prefer people in their twenties.

Also financially, the prices of daily necessities are rising, but he reckons his salary is not likely to grow, because he can only do basic laboring work.

"We are trying very hard to save money. We only eat cheap food. Our clothes are also very simple. We can't afford any luxury goods. "

When I asked him about his parents, Lei couldn't hold back his tears. He says they are getting old, and need to be taken care of. But he seldom goes back to visit them, because a railway ticket costs much money.

Since I came here 8 years ago, I have only gone back once, Lei says, They miss me very much…..(Sobbing)

His son's schooling is another headache for him. Without a Beijing hukou, or an official residential permit, the boy can't study in a public school. He is now studying at a private one. Without funding from the government, the quality of the school is very poor and the teachers are not qualified.

"They come from other provinces like me, their teaching is not good. I believe I could teach better".

He also thinks he is not fairly treated here. Migrants like Lei do all the dirtiest and hardest jobs, that very few local people would do.


"And even if we are doing the same things, migrant workers are paid far less than their local colleagues" he says.

Locals sometimes don't trust him and can't understand him. It makes him feel sad.

He said one day he went to discuss some business with a local Beijing resident. The man didn't invite him to go in but talked with him in the street.


"He didn't even let me speak in front of his house; I know he was afraid I would steal something from his home", Lei says, shaking his head。

While this kind of experience has made him consider returning home, thoughts of what he would face there still hold him back.

"There are too many people in Henan, and the economy is lagging behind. Some people go back and set up their own businesses. But very few can do it well. "

In addition, he is not willing to do farm work any more.

So, stay, and they face fierce job competition, a hard life - and even discrimination; Go home, and they are not sure if life there will be better.

Lei is not alone in this dilemma. Here are some other migrant workers.

"If we can stay here, we'll stay of course. But it is hard now "
"Sooner or later I will go home. I will not die in Beijing. But I need to make some money, and it is difficult for people like me."
"It is hard to live here, but at home, I can also make little money. "
"Go home? You have nothing to do at home. Hardly anyone lives there."

So stay or go home? I threw this question to Professor Du Yang at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Professor Du says it is a matter of personal choice. But the foundamental issue is that China needs to improve its social security policies for migrant population.

In addition to government policies, Professor Du Yang says younger generations of migrant workers need to improve themselves to have a better future.

Back Anchor: That was Liao Jibo reporting. Next week, we'll continue our series on migrant workers with a look at the education of children of migrant workers.

By Liao Jibo    Contact the author at liaojibo@crifm.com