Does affordable housing alleviate migrant workers' overwork in Chinese cities?

Abstract

Prior research on overwork has predominantly been conducted in developed countries. This study examines the role of affordable housing in Chinese cities and provides evidence from a developing country. Using data from China's National Health and Family Planning Commission's “China Migrants' Dynamic Survey,” this study explores the relationship between affordable housing and overwork among migrant workers in Chinese cities, as well as the mechanism underlying this association. The results imply that migrant workers in China can work fewer hours if they reside in affordable housing. The impact of affordable housing on the overwork of migrant workers is partially mediated by their housing cost burden and their sense of local self-identity. Women, the younger generation, and later-arriving migrant workers are more negatively affected than men, the older generation, and earlier-arriving migrants. This study gives insight into the evaluation of the efficiency of affordable housing in China and evidence for future research on the issue of overwork in developing nations.