Social security to cover migrant workers in Beijing

Edited and Translated by People's Daily Online

Beijing will extend social security coverage to 1.5 million migrant workers in the city in 2012, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security said on Jan. 11.

Since the Social Insurance Law took effect in July 2011, migrant workers in Beijing have enjoyed the same pension policies as urban workers. This year, Beijing authorities will unify the two medical insurance systems for migrant workers and urban workers.

Under the existing medical insurance system for migrant workers, they do not pay medical insurance premiums, and only enjoy partially free medical services for critical illness. After the unification of the two medical insurance systems, “migrant workers will enjoy the same medical insurance benefits as urban workers, and be entitled to free ambulatory care services,” said an official from the bureau.

According to the plan, about 1.5 million migrant workers working in Beijing-based institutions and companies will begin paying medical insurance premiums in 2012, and enjoy the same insurance rights as urban workers.