That paved the way for Zhu, Hu and Kang to enter the NPC, though finding a proper candidate among the poorly educated army of migrant workers was by no means an easy job.

Yang Chengyong, an official at the electoral affairs department in the Guangdong provincial congress, said Hu had risen above the 30 million peers because she is qualified politically, well educated and feels comfortable speaking her mind in public.

As soon as Hu knew she would be setting off for Beijing, the 34-year-old has been taking advantage of all her free time to learn how to be an NPC deputy.

"I have been staying up until midnight every day recently," Hu said prior to the opening of the two sessions.

Although the native of Sichuan province says coming up with a decent proposal can be "complicated", she has made suggestions to the other deputies.

"If you put your heart in it, (you will succeed,)" the mother of two said.

"But you won't make it if you are not totally focused."

As for the question of whether migrant worker deputies are the only choice to represent the group, the responses I have heard appear to be unanimous: They are the best choice because they know how an ordinary laborer thinks.

Even though schools have been set up in cities for the children of migrant workers and their income and time off is safeguarded by the Labor Contract Law, there are other issues that still prevent migrant workers from enjoying the same rights as their urban brothers and sisters.

And the percentage of their representation is still low.

Jiao Hongchang, a professor at China University of Political Science and Law, said: "It's a good beginning and attempt (to involve migrant workers in NPC sessions)."

(China Daily March 13, 2008)