Beijing will increase the salaries of migrant workers by 30 to 100 percent from Feb. 1 to meet the demand for labor on the construction of Olympic Games venues.

Beijing Construction Committee (BCC) has issued a circular giving a reference rate for construction workers, which is much higher than the previous rate set several years ago.

A skilled construction worker who was paid 31 to 32 yuan a day would see their wages rise to about 60 yuan (US$7.69), according to the new reference price.

The construction of Olympic venues and facilities has entered the peak period with the demand for labor increasing sharply in 2007, said an official from the committee.

The decision to increase construction workers' salaries was taken to ensure the completion of the venues on time, the official said, adding that laborers would be paid according to their skills and work.

The price, based on market studies, was for the reference of companies. Companies and workers could negotiate their own pay levels, the official said.

Most migrant workers come from poor rural areas. China has more than 120 million migrant workers. In the construction industry, more than 70 percent of the workers are former farmers.

(Xinhua News Agency January 19, 2007)