By Gisa Hartmann

The Wall Street Journal reports that China’s government has issued new regulations giving migrant workers new rights. The regulations, originally published in February 2011, were kept secret to give local authorities time to prepare for the expected rush for applications. The State Council circular allows some workers to register for hukou (household registration, 户口) in small and mid-sized cities.

Under the directive, workers must meet certain criteria, including a stable job and stable residence for small cities and an additional one year participation in social security payments for mid-size cities. Large cities such as Beijing
are not included. Since many public services provided in cities, including public health and public schooling, are only accessible with a hukou/registration, this change in regulation will break down barriers to access free medical services for many workers as well as their spouses and children, who are included in the household registration change.