Migrant workers in Chinese cities earn an average of 966 yuan (US$121) a month, much more than the average farmer in the country, but far less than urban residents.

About half of migrant workers earn less than 800 yuan a month, with just under 20 percent earning less than 500 yuan a month, according to a survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics.

Ten percent of the 29,425 migrant workers surveyed have a monthly income of at least 1,500 yuan.

There are more than 100 million migrant workers in China, most poor farmers who leave the countryside to find jobs in cities.

The average income of Chinese farmers is about one-fourth of what urban residents earn.

Shrinking farmlands are producing a growing number of migrant workers, leading to many social problems.

The survey suggests that jobs in east China are the most lucrative for migrant workers, who earn an average of 1,090 yuan per month there, compared with 880 yuan and 835 yuan in the less developed central and western regions.

Migrant laborers spend an average of 463 yuan a month - 72 yuan on accommodations, 235 yuan on food and 47 yuan on recreation.

To improve their professional skills, half of the respondents received vocational training, while 24.1 percent were self-taught.

Of the 5,065 respondents who brought children with them to the cities, only 1.05 percent said their children have dropped out of school, and nearly half said they had to pay an average registration fee of 1,226 yuan in addition to regular tuitions. Forty percent of migrant laborers in Chinese cities work more than eight hours a day and 47 percent work seven days a week, according to the survey.

Just over 26 percent of respondents said they have to work nine to 10 hours a day and another 13.61 percent said they work even longer. Thirty-seven percent only have one day off a week.

Chinese labor laws stipulate that workers should work no more than eight hours a day and 40 hours a week. Workers are entitled to at least one full day off a week and should be paid for overtime. But ruthless pursuit of profit has resulted in private business owners taking advantage of migrant workers.

It also found that migrant laborers increased their working hours voluntarily to earn more money. However, 15 percent of respondents were not paid on time or in full. Fifty percent received no pay for overtime and 80 percent were not entitled to any paid holidays. Most of the migrants work in construction, as security guards or in restaurants.