China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security announced on Wednesday that migrants’ lack of local registration should no longer be used by local governments to deny them unemployment benefits, Reuters reported, citing an online statement. Municipal governments must also provide free career counseling and job-seeking services, and subsidize career development and skill-building, it added. The mainland’s internal residence registration system remains a substantial barrier preventing migrant workers from accessing basic public benefits outside of their hometowns, including social welfare and education for their children. (See our in-depth report for more.)
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