The Triumphs and Challenges of Urban Gardeners: Finding Joy in Their Work

Time: July 5, 2023, 19:30-20:30

Location: Northeast Exit B, Haidian Huangzhuang Metro Station

Event Background

After finishing my study session and heading to the metro, I noticed two elderly men sitting against the wall of the subway corridor. They appeared to be migrant workers, prompting me to slow down as I passed. After a moment, I turned around and decided to strike up a conversation. “Uncles, are you sitting here to escape the heat? I’m a student and would like to know more about your lives,” I said, being direct and candid. The two men were warm and friendly, smiling as they answered my questions, and I gradually shifted from standing to sitting down to chat with them.

Basic Information

The two men, both around 67 years old, shared that they had come from a small village in Luoyang, Henan, to work in Beijing as greenery workers in a municipal greening team. After a long day at work, they came to the nearby metro station to cool off since their dormitory lacked air conditioning. They worked from 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM, took a two-hour break for lunch, and then returned to work from 1:30 PM until 6:30 PM, earning 100 yuan a day. I was taken aback when they mentioned their daily wage; it felt shockingly low for the strenuous outdoor work they performed. Previously, when chatting with rideshare and taxi drivers, they mentioned earning at least 300 to 600 yuan daily. Based on their 100 yuan daily wage, I calculated that their monthly income would be around 3,000 yuan, which aligns with Beijing's minimum wage standard (2320 yuan). Despite their challenging conditions, the two men described their lives without any signs of hardship, maintaining a positive and cheerful demeanor as they spoke.

Reasons for Working

Initially, I assumed that people who migrate for work did so primarily to earn money to support themselves and their families. However, these two men surprised me with their perspective. One uncle explained that while they could earn some money, it was more about staying active. He emphasized that there wasn’t much to do in their village anymore; farming had become tedious, and time dragged on slowly. Working in Beijing allowed them to exercise and make the day feel fulfilling. Unexpectedly, one uncle pointed out that 70% of Beijing is green space, and parks are abundant, showing his awareness of the value of their work. He understood that their efforts contributed to the city's greenery, revealing a sense of professional pride I hadn’t anticipated from this demographic.

How They Spend Their Earnings

With a monthly income of around 3,000 yuan, the company provided meals and accommodation, leaving little spending money. The two men mentioned that their only expenses were a few packs of cigarettes and some alcohol. I asked how they managed the remaining money, and they shared that they would send it home or give it to their grandchildren as New Year gifts. When I inquired why, at their age, their children didn’t support them financially so they wouldn’t have to work, they explained that their niece was already married, and they were content, wanting their children to focus on their own lives. They also reiterated that working kept them from feeling bored and was more enjoyable than idleness.

Their spending habits reflected their deep familial ties, as their focus was entirely on supporting their family rather than on personal indulgences. This highlights the profound significance of “home” in Chinese culture.

Positive Outlook on Life

Throughout our conversation, both men maintained smiles and never voiced any negative feelings or complaints. Despite their challenging lives, they displayed a remarkable love for life. This shattered my preconceived notions of the migrant worker demographic, which I had assumed would be filled with grievances about their situations. Earning the lowest wage and doing physically demanding work, they remained optimistic and content. They seemed to embody a carefree existence, enjoying their time chatting in the subway station after work. In this sense, their happiness appeared to surpass that of many younger individuals with higher salaries. I was left wondering if my sudden appearance had delighted them or if they had grown accustomed to their seemingly tough but simple lives. Their demeanor radiated a genuine love for life and satisfaction with their current circumstances.