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￥1.3b remitted home
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MILLIONS of migrant labourers in Shenzhen sent a whopping 1.3 billion yuan (US$156 million) home by post during the Spring Festival period, according to the municipal post office.
The surge of remittances coincides with more people spending the festival, traditionally a time for family reunions, in this city of migrants instead of going home. This is a turnaround from past years, when the city would become a virtual ghost town during the holidays.
For several days running, migrant workers were seen queuing up in the city's post offices to remit money. A Miss Ma told reporters, “I am from Sichuan Province and can't go home to see my family, so I sent 1,000 yuan to my parents.” A worker identified only as Mr Chen added, “I am too busy at work to go home this Spring Festival so I posted 2,500 yuan to my family, telling them I am fine in Shenzhen.”
A staff member with the Shazui Post Office told reporters that there was a continuous flow of people remitting money, placing some strain on post office workers. However, he said it was worthwhile and rewarding work.
Sources from the municipal post office said it helped labourers in the city remit 1.3 billion yuan to other parts of the country from January 1 to 26. It also said that last year alone 16.4 billion yuan was sent to inland provinces by over three million migrant workers in Shenzhen. (Alfred Zhang)
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