Peasants
Peasants in Ancient made up a large portion of the population and were typically farmers who were respected for their contribution of supplying food to the people of China. Peasant led strenuous and laborious lives. Most peasants lived in poverty, in huts or little houses made out of mud or bamboo. Men worked on the fields in harsh conditions. The women typically took care of household duties, such as weaving and sewing clothes. Even in poverty, peasants were expected to provide their services to the government. They worked one month a year in the military or on construction jobs. In addition to this, farmers had to pay a tax, by giving a percentage of their crops to the government. Harsh conditions could ruin crops, which left families in famine during the winter. The land they worked on was usually owned by nobles or kings, and the farmers had to give them gifts.
Although there is reform in china, peasants now still live in poverty and are treated unequally. The hope to ameliorate the condition of the peasants was discussed at a CPPCC group meeting. It was revealed that most peasants live like they did 40 years ago, with 90% dying in their homes from not being able to pay medical expenses. It has also become increasingly more difficult for children to access education. With the merging of village primary schools, elementary students must walk long distances to walk to and from the fields in the dark just to receive an education, people are calling this “groping at both ends in the dark”.
Now, many farmers must come to work in the city to accommodate China’s growing economy, but, sometimes they face challenges. Gui Street is a famous food street in Beijing where dozens of restaurants are located. One month after opening, it received complaints of late payments. Wu Antai, Chief of Supervisory Section, Beijing Labor and Social Welfare Bureau, said, “After investigations among 1,623 units, there are over six hundred cases of past due payment. More than 70 percent of the cases are related to construction companies... “. Steps are being taken towards reform though. Over 60 percent of businesses in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai said they intend on hiring more peasant workers. Before Spring Festival, special staff members in labor protection agencies in China’s cities are assigned to monitor the payment of peasant workers’ salaries. Surveys also show a majority of peasant workers are engaged in the industries such as construction, manufacturing, and social services, as well as public security.
Although there is reform in china, peasants now still live in poverty and are treated unequally. The hope to ameliorate the condition of the peasants was discussed at a CPPCC group meeting. It was revealed that most peasants live like they did 40 years ago, with 90% dying in their homes from not being able to pay medical expenses. It has also become increasingly more difficult for children to access education. With the merging of village primary schools, elementary students must walk long distances to walk to and from the fields in the dark just to receive an education, people are calling this “groping at both ends in the dark”.
Now, many farmers must come to work in the city to accommodate China’s growing economy, but, sometimes they face challenges. Gui Street is a famous food street in Beijing where dozens of restaurants are located. One month after opening, it received complaints of late payments. Wu Antai, Chief of Supervisory Section, Beijing Labor and Social Welfare Bureau, said, “After investigations among 1,623 units, there are over six hundred cases of past due payment. More than 70 percent of the cases are related to construction companies... “. Steps are being taken towards reform though. Over 60 percent of businesses in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai said they intend on hiring more peasant workers. Before Spring Festival, special staff members in labor protection agencies in China’s cities are assigned to monitor the payment of peasant workers’ salaries. Surveys also show a majority of peasant workers are engaged in the industries such as construction, manufacturing, and social services, as well as public security.