4 February 2007, Beijing - A project to establish a nationwide network of lawyers specialized in providing legal aid services to migrant workers was launched today in Beijing.

This is a joint effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the All China Lawyers’ Association and the China International Centre of Economic and Technical Exchange (CICETE) under Ministry of Commerce.

Entitled “Enhancing Legal Aid Service for Migrant Workers in China”, the US$0.5 million project aims to establish a nationwide network of qualified lawyers dedicated to voluntary work for helping migrant workers. This initiative will set up local legal aid service centers in 15 provinces and provide trainings for lawyers in order to sharpen their skills and develop their specialties in protecting the rights of migrant workers.

The project will also support the existing legal aid centers in 7 provinces. As a result, it will provide assistance in improving legal service for migrant workers in more than 20 provinces across the country.

“The protection of the rights of disadvantaged groups is an indispensable aspect of human development. Human poverty will not be eradicated without addressing inequalities and injustice,” said Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in China, at the launching ceremony.

Tong Lihua, a veteran lawyer of defending the rights of vulnerable groups such as children and migrant workers, will lead the implementation of the project. Tong became well-known in China in a publicized case where he helped a group of migrant workers sue an international fast food franchise for abusive labour practices. The lawsuit forced the franchise to a settlement with some of its employees and to change its labour practices, in alignment with Chinese labour regulations.

“In spite of the government’s tremendous efforts in helping migrant workers obtain their rightful money from employers, many migrant workers are still owed wages from their employers,” said Tong.

According to Tong, many employers of migrant workers do not follow labour regulations. Collectively, China’s 120 million migrant workers are owed billions in delayed salaries, or so-called “back pay” from their employers, but may lack access to legal aid.

The project will have its base at the Working Station of Beijing Legal Aid Service for Migrant Workers, a civil society organization established in September 2005 and led by Tong. The 1-year project will be implemented by the All China Lawyers’ Association, with the endorsement of the Ministry of Justice and financial support from the Belgian Embassy.

“With the financing of this project, Belgium is willing to contribute to the efforts of the Chinese government in the field of promotion of human rights, good governance and rule of law,” said Bernard Pierre, Ambassador of Belgium.

“The improvement of the situation of migrant workers is indeed one of the biggest present challenges and this very innovative project supported by UNDP and the All-China Lawyers’ Association can have a positive impact and an added value,” Pierre said.

“If the initial pilot project is successful, the All China Lawyers’ Association is planning to scale up this network to cover more provinces in the country,” said Yu Ning, Chairperson of the All China Lawyers’ Association.