Migrant Workers

Posted on 16 January 2010.

"I am a brother from Anhui and now working in Shanxi. My relationship with God is not close because I need to work every day. I haven't been home for two years."

"I came from Chongqing and am working in Dongguan, Guangdong. I haven't been to church, as the church is too far away from me. I work every day with only one day off a month. I can hardly find a place where I can get close to the Lord."

Migrant workers in China now number around 340 million and are a pivotal force behind the country's economic development. They make up around 68% of staff in processing industries, almost 80% in the construction and mining industries, and more than 50% in the environmental hygiene, domestic housekeeping and catering industries. "One cannot imagine what will happen to China's economy should the workers disappear," comments Christian Communications Ltd.

Yet, as the quotes above from letters sent by migrant workers to the Far East Broadcasting Company show, life for Christian believers working away from home can be challenging, with few opportunities for fellowship.

Of course, non-Christian migrants also face their own challenges. The director of a medical emergency centre in Dongguan reported: "Twenty percent of the people who have called the centre said they wanted to commit suicide... Some migrants who left their home-towns in search of money in this city have struggled to find relief from the pressure they face at work. Some migrants, who tend to have little knowledge of their rights, chose to commit suicide when their wages are withheld. Most of the suicide victims are young people. They do not know how to get along with others. When they have relationship troubles, they think their whole life is over" (China Source). Eighty percent of the calls received on a medical hotline set up in Dongguan were from migrants.

Pray for non-Christian migrant workers who are struggling with the challenges of working away from home. Pray that they might have an opportunity to hear the Gospel and to find hope and strength through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray for Christian migrant workers to remain strong in the Lord and to find suitable opportunities for fellowship with other believers. May they be filled with His peace, His joy and a fervent desire to share their faith with those around them.

Pray for more Christians to gain a vision to reach out to migrant workers and to show God's love to them in practical ways. Pray that believers might lead the way in combating the discrimination shown to those who move from the villages to the cities.