In a move that will attract more migrant workers to Guangdong, the provincial security bureau has announced a reformation of the hukou system and will loosen restrictions on household registrations, reports the SCMP.

But before Guangzhou and Shenzhen residents get upset that their already overpopulated cities can’t withstand any more people, relax—this plan specifically excludes these two cities.

Zheng Dong, deputy head of Guangdong’s public security department, explained that each city will set their own standards, but that migrants will not likely be able to reside in Guangzhou or Shenzhen. Zheng said permanent residency would be available to migrants with stable jobs and residences who have paid social security taxes. Among the requirements is that they have lived in Guangdong for at least five years.

The hukou reform looks to attract new residents to populate small and medium-sized cities in the north, west and east of Guangdong.

Peng Peng, a political researcher at the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, said:

“They hope companies in the Pearl River Delta will move to the rural areas along with skilled employees who will work there. Measures to attract new arrivals are necessary for these cities.”

However, Peng warned that migrants would only relocate to these smaller cities if there were adequate jobs and social welfare.

Other recent related stories:

• Labor Unrest Grows in Guangdong with Two More High-Profile Protests
• Thousands Strike at Nike, Adidas, Reebok Factory in Dongguan Over Invalid Contracts
• 30,000 Workers Strike in Dongguan, Robots Planned As Replacements
• New Census Data: There Are 5 Million More Men Than Women in Guangdong

Photo: Hexun