| Author: |
Flaherty, Stephen B |
| Author affiliations: |
The University of Wisconsin - Madison |
| Publication date: |
2009 |
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Abstract:
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The purpose of this research was to explore how migrant laborers with industrial injuries view their lives. This investigation explored two research questions. How do migrant laborers with industrial injuries view their lives? Do the views of migrant laborers with industrial injury vary based on recentness of injury? Specifically, this qualitative Grounded Theory) study investigated the lives of migrant laborers with industrial injuries in the Baoan District of Shenzhen, China. Fifteen interviews were conducted over a 10 day period. Seven interviews were arranged through a legal aid office and a consultative office. These seven people had older injuries, although one was still awaiting further surgery, and were still living in the community. The final eight interviews were conducted with recently injured workers at a hospital. To enhance the investigation, an interview was conducted with the public relations director of Wal-Mart China to help explain what, if any, Americas quest for low price goods has on employee treatment in Chinese factories. Wal-Mart is the number one corporate destination for manufactured goods from China. Observations were also made of a migrant worker farm family at their home in the countryside. This further helps to explain the abject poverty and need to find a better life that drives farmers to become migrant workers. An extensive literature review was conducted to help explain cultural and governmental differences in China, and how those impact migrant workers. This includes exploration into the hukou citizen registration) system, the Chinese union, and summaries of previous explorations by organizations including China Labor Watch, and the National Labor Committee. Findings revealed that research participants with older injuries were more pessimistic than people with more recent injuries. People with more recent injuries were better taken care of than people with older injuries, as evidenced by hospital visits by managers and daily living stipends from factories. Erickson, Maslow, Seligman, and other theorists offer insight into motivations for seeking employment in knowingly dangerous factories and possible explanations for self-esteem and self-worth. In addition, basic concepts of acceptance and adjustment to disability within cultural context are explored |
| Database: |
书籍类 |