The blog chinaSMACK has published a translation of a Netease BBS discussion on a volunteer trip to migrant worker children:
One of the families, lived in what looked like a storehouse. From the highway to a small road, through a field full of plastic greenhouses, we arrived at our destination. On the road, a man on a motorcycle followed our “Red Collar Movement” Chevrolet Aveo convoy to our destination. After parking, they chatted with us: “Where are you all coming from?” “Are you all from the same work unit?” “What are you coming her for?” “How much does this car cost?”.
The post met mixed reactions on the Netease site, from the pragmatic:
Shanghai is like this, and it can be imagined for other places.
Housing for migrant workers is a major problem. Asking them to afford a house in the city these days is a fantasy.
At present, the most important thing is to allow their children to study in the city for free, something the local government can do. Studying in the city will them more easily integrate into the city. Only when rural people can integrate into the city will it be possible to solve the peasant problem.
…to the cynical:
What use is it for you guys to go have a look? Get a television station to film a little, then write to some leader singing praises of him being loving, generous, benevolent to the people. Are not those people still in the same situation? Doing motherfucking useless things, wanting to go show yourselves as being strong and successful people. You guys have superiority complexes. I am too lazy to even despise you.
