Standing in front of a poster of 'Autumn Remembrance', a movie directed by Zhang Yimou, and starring his ex-wife Gong Li and singer-actor Jay Zhou at the upscale Stellar International Cinepix, Huang Qingping's girlfriend told him she wanted to see that film next, because she is a fan of Zhou.

Two migrant workers sleep at a makeshift shelter in this undated photo. [File]

But stepping into the classy movie theater was a four-year-long dream for Huang, a migrant laborer who has stayed in the capital for almost four years.

He bought two 30-yuan (US$3.8) tickets for Feng Xiaogang's 'The Banquet' for half-price, a daily deal that's offered at 10 am.

As a chef, Huang makes a monthly salary of 1,500 yuan (US$190 yuan), and his accommodation and meals are included with the job.

Huang is one of the better off. Out of the total number of migrant workers, only ten percent earn 1,500 yuan or above a month, according to a China Times report on October 25.

Numbers tell the story. Half of the 29,425 migrant workers surveyed make 800 yuan a month. About 20 percent make under 500 yuan a month. Thirty-four percent make between 500 and 800 yuan a month, according to a recent survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Such meager incomes mean migrant workers don't have regular access to recreation, entertainment or health services.

In order to avoid paying the two-yuan entrance fee to Yuyuantan Park on the west third ring road, some migrant workers have been climbing the fence and entering the park at night, according to media reports.

"A section of the park's wall collapsed and we always climb into the park at night. We are always worried about getting caught," a migrant surnamed Ding says. "Dozens of us climb the wall to enter the park for a free visit."

The capital has launched a citywide campaign, promoting free entrance to 123 parks. That might not be enough.

According to the latest Xinhua statistics, there are almost 100 million migrant workers in Chinese cities, contributing to China's annual 10.5 percent economic growth rate. Meanwhile, the large amount of laborers has led to severe social problems.

Poor living and working conditions, the education for children of migrant workers, rights and back pay have become a headache for government leaders.

Things are still tough for workers flooding into urban areas in spite of repeated efforts to improve workers' living conditions.

Sleeping has become a recreational activity for the poor, according to a NBS survey.

Apart from sleeping, reading books and newspapers has become a habits for over 50 per cent of migrant workers, says the survey.

About 37.79 per cent of workers who fall ill won't see a doctor, according to the survey.