Dongguan, Guangdong Province Establishes First Self-governing Neighborhood for Migrant Workers
Dongguan, Guangdong – August 20th, China News Service Report: Dongguan, a world-renowned manufacturing hub in Guangdong Province, is home to tens of millions of migrant workers. The service and management of these workers have always been a key focus for the local government. On August 20th, it was revealed by local government departments that the town of Zhangmutou has established a self-governing neighborhood for migrant workers, marking a first for mainland China.
In Dongguan, migrant workers are referred to as "New Dongguan People." In Zhangmutou Town, there are already over 100,000 registered "New Dongguan People," and three self-governing neighborhoods have been set up for them. According to relevant officials from the Zhangmutou Town Government, the self-governing neighborhoods are primarily composed of "New Dongguan People," with the establishment of service and management zones and self-governance groups specifically for them. Both village cadres and representatives of "New Dongguan People" serve as leaders within these neighborhoods, while group leaders are appointed from among the representatives of "New Dongguan People." This model has given those living in the same area a sense of "home," changing the previous situation where order existed inside factories but chaos reigned outside.
Journalists learned during grassroots visits that the self-governing neighborhoods for "New Dongguan People" have been welcomed by nearby factory and enterprise workers. Not only do the workers live more comfortably, but factory and enterprise owners also report that this model has genuinely created a good investment environment for them, reducing employee turnover and enhancing the sense of identity and belonging among "New Dongguan People."
Officials from Guangdong Province have praised this measure as a new exploration in social management. Currently, Zhangmutou Town has three "self-governing neighborhoods for New Dongguan People." Among them, the most typical example is Bai Di Sha Jing Village. In Sha Jing Village, there are over 50 rental properties housing more than 180 "New Dongguan People." Previously, Sha Jing was synonymous with dirt, disorder, and poor conditions, causing headaches for the authorities. Later, after establishing the "self-governing neighborhood for New Dongguan People," three members were elected by the residents to form an autonomous group responsible for security, sanitation, fire safety, and other tasks within the neighborhood.
According to community leaders, since the implementation of the "self-governing neighborhood for New Dongguan People," disputes between neighbors in Bai Di Sha Jing Village have decreased, relationships have become more harmonious, and environmental hygiene has improved. More noticeably, public security has significantly improved. "The cleanliness is much better now, very tidy, and there's no more theft," said He Xiaoping, a "New Dongguan Person."
Managers of the "self-governing neighborhood for New Dongguan People" receive annual subsidies of 1200 to 1800 RMB from the government. Calculating this way, the annual cost for one self-governing neighborhood is less than 5000 RMB, yet it effectively resolves previously longstanding and difficult issues.
As introduced by Li Qiaosheng, the former director of the New Dongguan People Service Management Center in Zhangmutou Town, the self-governing neighborhoods for New Dongguan People not only handle unified residence permits but also assign dedicated personnel for neighborhood security and sanitation. In the Baida Industrial Zone of the Baiguodong Community in Zhangmutou Town, the rental rate for the self-governing neighborhood reaches 100%, accommodating over 200 families of New Dongguan People. "Many New Dongguan People come here upon hearing about it because they feel safe and a sense of belonging here, with excellent results in terms of sanitation and public security," said Huang Guoxiong, who has served as the community security chief for many years. Unexpectedly, one "self-governing neighborhood for New Dongguan People" has solved numerous social management problems.
The self-governance groups of the autonomous neighborhoods are democratically elected or recommended by the residents within the neighborhoods. The group leaders of the self-governance groups are appointed from among the New Dongguan People residing in the neighborhoods. Huang Peijun, deputy leader of the self-governance group and a local resident, told reporters that the self-governance group conducts irregular home visits once a month. They can promptly inform residents of any government policies and timely gather residents' opinions, followed by prompt handling. Communication between migrant workers and locals has improved, their relationship has become more harmonious, and the community has become more harmonious as well.