Vice-Premier Ma Kai urged improving payment mechanism of migrant workers’ wages at a teleconference on May 13 in Beijing.

After years of efforts, work on the payment of migrant workers has achieved effective result in China, but problems that have caused the issue have not been eliminated, he said.

The pressure of economic slowdown and overcapacity in some industries have made the problem more complex, said Ma, adding that the government must attach great importance to the issue as it tends to be more obvious in some regions and industries.

The vice-premier stressed that securing timely payment of migrant workers’ wages is important to guarantee the rights and interests of the vulnerable group and to demonstrate social justice. He asked related departments to implement the document on problems concerning migrant workers’ wage claims issued by the State Council earlier this year.

A guarantee system with prevention, supervision and punishment should be established and improved, said the vice-premier, adding that claims must be investigated strictly.

He also asked related departments to regulate enterprises’ wage payments and employment management, and severely punish enterprises with related problems.