As the first generation of rural migrant workers have begun to reach or approach retirement age, the lack of pensions or underpayment of pensions has been an increasing grievance, and a cause of strikes and labour disputes in China.

Pollution has become a major health crisis in China. With industrial pollution as a significant contributing factor, many workers, especially rural migrant workers who have been exposed to some of the harshest working and living conditions over many years and denied the same rights and mechanisms to rectify their suffering