In a recent interview, we spoke with Zhang, a migrant worker from Sichuan, who faced serious challenges after sustaining an injury while working in Zhejiang. His family found themselves in a tough position due to delays in receiving compensation. Thankfully, prosecutors from both Zhejiang and Sichuan leveraged a cross-regional mechanism designed for civil support litigation, which effectively helped Zhang claim his unpaid wages and validate his work-related injury.
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate has spotlighted this case as part of its initiative to showcase typical examples of civil support litigation. The number of similar cases handled by prosecutors has been increasing; just in the first half of 2024, national prosecutors processed nearly 49,000 cases, with 23,000 specifically supporting migrant workers in their pursuit of legal remedies.
It’s essential to uphold the rights of those in distress through the rule of law. Many vulnerable groups often find it difficult to advocate for their rights due to financial constraints and limited legal knowledge, making immediate legal assistance crucial. To empower these individuals to exercise their right to sue effectively, the Supreme Procuratorate, in collaboration with the Supreme Court, has implemented regulatory documents aimed at supporting litigation for vulnerable populations, including migrant workers, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
In 2023 alone, legal aid organizations across the country assisted 540,000 migrant workers in recovering 6.8 billion yuan in unpaid wages and managed 180,000 legal aid cases for minors. This continuous improvement in relevant systems, along with increased efforts, has significantly bolstered support for protecting the rights of disadvantaged groups.
Ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential judicial relief and legal services is vital for promoting social fairness and justice. Tackling labor rights issues, particularly for flexible workers, migrant workers, and those in emerging employment forms, is crucial. Furthermore, it’s imperative to address concerns affecting women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Meeting the legal needs of the public is key to ensuring that they truly experience justice in their everyday lives.
For the judicial system, the law should not come across as cold or impersonal. It’s important to approach judicial work as a form of community service, transforming legal principles into meaningful outcomes for individuals. This perspective should strive for both legal effectiveness and social impact, helping the public feel that fairness and justice are upheld in each judicial process.
Enhancing the legal framework to better safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups requires significant improvements in the provision of legal services. Access to high-quality public legal services should be universal to cater to the increasing legal support demands of the population. While a comprehensive public legal service system has been established across urban and rural areas in China, challenges such as resource imbalances persist. This situation calls for mechanisms that facilitate cross-regional flow of legal service resources to enhance availability and accessibility.
Efforts to improve the quality of legal services are apparent, with initiatives like “green channels” for swift rights protection, increased judicial support, and assistance for those in urgent need. These undertakings highlight a commitment to ensuring that more individuals receive the help they require.
The foundation of the legal system is rooted in the people. The authority of the law is derived from the public’s genuine belief in its justice and compassion. Concrete achievements within the legal system not only ensure safety and stability for citizens but also strengthen collective trust in the rule of law. Protecting the rights of vulnerable populations is a shared responsibility that demands societal involvement. It is crucial to create an environment of care and support for these groups, ensuring their equal participation in social life and their access to the benefits of economic and social development. Let justice and the rule of law shine brightly, warming the hearts of the people.
