Better education, Internet access making them aware of rights: report

China's young migrant workers are becoming more active in pushing for labor union reform, according to a recent Tsinghua University report, which warns that ignoring workers' demands could lead to labor rights activism.

A report released by Tsinghua University's Department of Sociology and China Youth Development Foundation shows that the young generation of migrant workers, who were born since 1980, have shown a stronger desire to form labor unions and are becoming more active in advocating reforms in workers' unions, news portal caixin.com reported Monday.

Because of the increasing use of temporary staff and flexible work shifts by Chinese companies, young migrant workers have fewer chances to socialize and bond with their colleagues, hence becoming more isolated, according to the report.

"The young generation has realized from the previous generation's experience that their fight for labor rights will not be effective until they do it collectively. As individuals, they lack the bargaining power and resources to fight for their rights," said Wang Jiangsong, a professor at the China Institute of Industrial Relations.

The report said that more than half of young migrant workers it polled have received secondary or higher education.

Better education and exposure to the Internet and social media have given these young workers knowledge and access to be aware of their rights and to voice their demands, said Wang. "These young workers have a much stronger desire to develop a sustainable career and blend into urban areas than their parents. China's farmlands are declining, leaving the young generation of migrant workers no alternative career options like returning to their hometown and becoming a farmer," he said.

But with the slow development of labor rights, Wang said there is a huge gap between their expectations and the reality that their unions have failed to protect their interests.

China's labor unions are usually led by management, while attempts to establish a worker-led union have been difficult, said Wanxg.

Young workers have taken to suicides and violence to fight for labor rights, said the report. It went on to say that these workers may even resort to joining underground gangs for help if traditional workers' unions fail to support their demands.

In June 2011, thousands of poorly paid garment workers in Zengcheng resorted to riots and strikes allegedly involving gang members in the Pearl River Delta region. The rise in labor unrest has prompted some unions like those in Shenzhen and Guangdong Province to adopt union leadership elections and collective bargaining. In 2013, government records showed that China had 269 million migrant workers, with younger workers accounting for 46.6 percent. Their average monthly salary in 2013 was 2,609 yuan ($423).