cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

     Like most other cities, Beijing too offers temporary residence permits to migrant workers every year, but less than 10 from Xie's city can manage to get a permanent residence card.

     "We are happy that the government is paying attention to workers' problem and we don't expect every migrant to become a Beijing resident but the hukou system should be made more flexible," she said.

     Ensuring that workers get their wages on time and work in a safe environment should be the top priority of the new department, she said.

     Xie came to Beijing in 2006, and most of the 300 complaints she has received from her hometown workers since then have been over payments or compensations for injuries.

     Three migrant workers have been inducted into the country's top legislature, where they can voice their concerns.