Migrant workers deserve the respect of all Chinese people and even the whole world, Premier Li Keqiang said at Luolai Lifestyle Technology Co during an inspection in Jiangsu province on Nov 29.

Among the 15,000 employees, more than 70 percent of them are migrant workers. Premier Li asked about their hometowns and urged the person in charge to ensure they get paid in full and on time.

China’s leap-forward progress in the past 40 years since the reform and opening-up is built on the hard work and sweat of the Chinese people, especially the large amount of migrant worker, he said.