The national teleconference on eradicating wage arrears for migrant workers and on migrant worker affairs was held in Beijing on December 24. Li Keqiang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Premier of the State Council, made important instructions.

The instructions noted: Doing a good job in migrant worker affairs and ensuring the timely payment of migrant workers' wages bear on the livelihoods of migrant worker families and on overall social stability. All regions and relevant departments must uphold Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as their guide, earnestly implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, adhere to a people-centered approach, continue to solidly carry out the work of "stabilizing the six fronts" and "guaranteeing the six areas," strengthen the priority of employment, vigorously support market entities such as small, medium and micro enterprises and self-employed businesses in alleviating difficulties and developing, strive to stabilize and expand employment for migrant workers, and take multiple measures to broaden employment channels for migrant workers. It is necessary to strengthen vocational guidance and skills training, increase employment assistance for workers lifted out of poverty, promote equalization of basic public services at the county level, and safeguard the lawful rights and interests of migrant workers in accordance with the law. More effective measures must be taken to resolutely resolve prominent problems in wage arrears for migrant workers; under no circumstances shall migrant workers' hard-earned wages be withheld, and malicious defaulters shall be severely punished in accordance with laws and regulations. It is necessary to further improve policy mechanisms, focus on government and state-owned enterprise projects, solidly carry out the winter special campaign against wage arrears, and truly ensure that migrant workers are paid for their work, making new contributions to maintaining sustained and steady economic development and to safeguarding and improving people's livelihoods.

Hu Chunhua, Vice Premier of the State Council and head of the State Council Leading Group on Migrant Worker Affairs and the Leading Group on Eradicating Wage Arrears for Migrant Workers, attended the meeting and delivered a speech. He stressed the need to earnestly study and implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, implement the instructions of Premier Li Keqiang, effectively do a good job in migrant worker affairs and in ensuring the payment of migrant workers' wages, and better serve the overall situation of economic and social development.

Hu Chunhua pointed out that since the beginning of this year, China's migrant worker work has made new positive progress, and the achievements should be fully affirmed. Next year the 20th National Congress of the CPC will be held, and doing a good job in migrant worker affairs is of special significance for safeguarding overall social stability and safeguarding and improving people's livelihoods. It is necessary to strengthen policy support, stabilize and expand employment positions, promote flexible employment through multiple channels, consolidate and enhance the achievements of employment-based poverty alleviation, and promote overall stability of migrant worker employment. It is necessary to focus on what migrant workers need and expect, effectively increase public services, strengthen skills training, and strengthen the protection of rights and interests such as social insurance. It is necessary to strive to enhance the employment carrying capacity of the county economy, strengthen support for employment and entrepreneurship, and promote nearby employment for migrant workers and equalization of basic public services. It is necessary to consolidate and expand the results of eradicating wage arrears, focus on key sectors such as construction, coordinate the governance of wage arrears and payment arrears, accelerate institutional and capacity building, and minimize the space for wage arrears to the greatest extent possible.

Hu Chunhua stressed that with New Year's Day and the Spring Festival approaching, it is necessary to solidly provide services for migrant workers returning home and returning to work after the holiday, strengthen care and assistance for migrant workers in difficulty, and deeply advance the winter special campaign against wage arrears, so that migrant workers can enjoy a happy and peaceful holiday.