Frangibility and potentiality: migrant worker families in China during COVID-19

ABSTRACT This study is based on an action-research project undertaken by Facilitators, a social work organisation in China helping migrant workers fight COVID-19. Applying the Capacities and Vulnerabilities Analysis (CVA) tools, four rounds of needs assessment were completed covering 46 migrant worker families experiencing difficulties, with additional data from 311 families who responded to a questionnaire. Our analysis highlights the impact of COVID-19 and the association of migrant worker families’ vulnerabilities with individual awareness levels and abilities, although lack of institutional support is also an important factor. Specific recommendations are made for a long-term mechanism on disaster management and social assistance. The authors call for the inclusion of family, child, and urban-rural integration perspectives, government-NGO cooperation and interaction among communities, NGOs and social workers to ensure improved and sustainable policies and services to reduce migrant worker families’ vulnerabilities.