China's cabinet, the State Council, on Wednesday ordered local governments to take good care of migrant workers from earthquake-hit Sichuan Province in the southwest.

A inter-ministerial office for migrant workers said in an urgent notice that local governments must find out how many migrant workers from the disaster-stricken are working in their areas and what are their needs.

Local authorities must provide all necessary material and psychological assistance to the migrant workers, and convenience to those who are wish to return to their hometowns.

Authorities in the disaster-stricken areas must also take good care of the elders and children left behind by migrant workers and help their rebuild their homes, the circular says.

As one of China's most populous province, Sichuan is a major source of migrant workers.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2008)