Housing Choices of Migrant Workers with Different Types of Employment: A Comparison Between Eastern, Central and Western China

With the outbreak of COVID-19, many informally employed migrant workers or employers in the informal sector are facing unprecedented challenges in terms of employment, housing, etc. These workers do not have access to health insurances, social securities, housing subsidies, or any other social welfare. Many of them are at risk of sharp income reduction or losing jobs because of having no labor contracts. Studies on informal employment of migrant workers often focus on labor protection. Few studies analyzed the role of informal employment in housing choices of migrant workers. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap. Data from China Migrant Dynamic Survey 2017 were employed. Multiple logistic regression models were established. Comparisons were made between the three economic belts (i.e., eastern, central and western regions) of China. It was found that the influencing factors of housing choices of migrant workers varied from region to region, so do the influences. Informally employed migrant workers tended to live in informal housing (such as construction sites, abandoned factories, etc.), and places of employment. Formally employed migrant workers were more likely to live in dormitories provided by employers. Unexpectedly, the effect of formal employment on housing purchase of migrant workers was insignificant. The government should pay more attention to the housing issues of migrant workers in informal employment. Measures should be taken to improve the housing conditions of informally employed migrant workers. More housing options should be provided to them, such as incorporating them into the housing security system. Moreover, housing strategies should be specified according to the respective characteristics of different regions.