Counseling office shifts to a new direction

• Source: Global Times
• [09:22 July 21 2010]
• Comments

By Liu Dong

The first psychology counseling service office designed for migrant workers in the city has failed to reach out to even a single client since opening at the start of this month, leading authorities to stray from their original plans.

Authorities from the counseling service office in Putuo district, which initially intended to help migrant workers deal with personal problems, are now refocusing efforts on payment issues as receiving fair salaries by their employers is their primary concern at the moment, Xia Yimin, deputy director of the counseling service office, told the Global Times Tuesday.

"Most migrant workers only care about getting paid on time, so our main task right now is to help them deal with dishonest employers," he said.

The shift in the direction of operations at the office were needed since no clients have dropped by, nor have any calls been made to the 5275 6038 hot line following the commencement of the counseling services on July 1, he added.

While Xia admitted that the counseling office lacks professional psychologists due to budgetary limitations, he said the office provides public lectures to teach migrant workers how to cope during tough times.

According to a man surnamed Yu, director of the Trade Unions in Minhang district, many migrant workers are in real need of psychological aid from professionals.

"Many migrant workers, who had relatives in Sichuan and Yushu before the earthquakes, still struggle with their losses, and several who lost their jobs because of the financial crisis, are still in need of support," he said.

Meanwhile, Lin Silian, 20, a migrant worker from Zhejiang Province, told the Global Times Tuesday that he was unaware such services were offered to people like him, saying that he could use some guidance.

"Money isn't my biggest problem," he said. "If someone can teach me how to survive in this big city, then that would be really helpful and would probably carry me a long way."