The migrant population suffers from severe sexual repression that could contribute to a rise in many social problems, said Zhang Feng, director of Guangdong provincial commission of population and family planning.

"Sexually transmitted diseases are spreading faster among migrant workers, whose sex lives have long been neglected," Zhang said during the ongoing session of Guangdong provincial political consultative conference.

During long periods of separation from their spouses, some migrant workers ask for "help" from sex workers to meet physiological needs, Zhang said.

"Unsafe sex by migrant workers will lead to a rise in venereal diseases and other social problems," Zhang said.

A recent survey on the sexual habits and reproductive health of Guangdong's migrant laborers showed that up to 36 percent of married men have experienced severe sexual repression.

The survey was commissioned by the Guangdong Sexology Association, polling 3,093 migrant workers in Guangzhou and Dongguan between Oct 12 and 16 last year. It touched on a range of issues such as sexual behavior, extramarital sex, sexual repression, sexual satisfaction, intercourse frequency and contraception.

Due to separation from their wives or unhappy marriages, 30 percent of married men hire prostitutes for sex, and another 30 percent said they have had many sexual partners.

Zhang made a proposal to the provincial political consultative conference last year, asking authorities to conduct an official survey on migrant workers' sex problems. He was turned down

"Again this year, I am asking for the government to do the research. Migrant workers will develop less interest in work if they cannot satisfy their sex needs," Zhang said.

In response to Zhang's request, government officials said they found it difficult to do that kind of research among migrant workers.

"Such research should be done by a sexology association," an unnamed official said, without elaborating To help promote safe sex, Zhang's commission distributed some 100 million condoms to migrant workers last year.

"We will distribute more this year, in an attempt to prevent sexual disease from spreading faster," Zhang told China Daily yesterday.

The southern province of Guangdong, China's top economic powerhouse, is home to an estimated 30 million migrant workers, the most in the country.

Questions:

1. What action is Zhang requesting be taken to get a better idea of the need of Migrant workers?

2. What percentage of Guangdong’s migrant workers said they had experienced sexual repression?

3. How many migrant workers are estimated to live in Guangdong Province?

Answers:

1. Authorities to conduct an official survey on migrant workers' sex problems

2. 36 Percent

3. 30 million

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Todd Balazovic is a reporter for the Metro Section of China Daily. Born in Mineapolis Minnesota in the US, he graduated from Central Michigan University and has worked for China Daily for one year.