In 2006 Chinese trade unions assisted migrant workers claim 1.3 billion yuan (US$162.5 million) in wages, according to the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU).

"Trade unions have helped chase unpaid salaries for 2.8 million migrant workers this year," said Dong Li, vice president of the ACFTU.

He said unions had successfully introduced 91,200 rural migrant workers to jobs, offered skills training to 111,900 and medical services to 48,000.

China's migrant worker population stands at 114.9 million with an estimated 6.7 million new arrivals this year.

A survey by the Ministry of Agriculture showed migrant workers had seen their average wage rise to 852 yuan (US$106) per month in 2006 from 803 yuan in 2005.

China has over 800 million rural dwellers.

(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2006)