Hong Kong ( CNN ) -- China 's extraordinary climb to the world 's second largest economy was built on the back of Chinese workers , many of whom left rural farms to migrate for work in coastal factories . But as China 's wealth rises , workers are demanding a greater share of the wealth and better access to social services . And as this month 's edition of `` On China '' examines , the young generation of worker are tech savvy , aware of their rights and choosier about where they go for work . `` They 're on the Internet more ... on especially Weibo , China 's social media , Twitter-like thing . They 're able to connect with others , see what others are doing , '' William Nee of China Labor Bulletin , a Hong Kong-based NGO which defends workers ' rights , told CNN . `` And in cases where there are strikes or things like that , they can put it out there on Weibo and other people can learn about it , '' he said . `` They can look online for labor rights and labor contract law . '' One of the greatest issues for China 's 250 million migrant workers is the `` hukou '' system of household registration . Migrant workers often ca n't register in the cities where they work , and subsequently ca n't qualify for social services such as public education or social security . `` When I talk to migrant workers about a vast array of problems , I think , this usually rises to number one , '' Rob Schmitz , a Marketplace correspondent in Shanghai , told CNN . `` And I think , for them , the biggest reason this is such a big problem is that they are treated like illegal immigrants inside of their own country . '' This hits the children of migrant workers . `` Many children are born in these larger cities where their parents have moved to . This is their hometown , as far as they know it , '' Schmitz said . But as China 's coastal provinces -- which were first opened for Western-style economic reform in 1979 -- grow more expensive , more companies are moving factories into rural areas , sparking a new wave of development and giving workers more options closer to home . `` The companies are looking for cheaper resources , cheaper land , cheaper labor in the home provinces , like in the rural remote provinces in China , '' Suki Chung , executive director , Labor Action China , told CNN . `` In places like Shenzhen , the Pearl River Delta , these places have become very expensive . So for migrant workers perhaps in the past , you make a salary and then bring it home , because of the cost of living how it 's risen so quickly , it 's no longer viable , '' said Nee . `` Taking a salary that 's a little bit less back near their hometown is a much more attractive option , especially since they can visit their family much more easily . '' Meanwhile , the low-skilled factory jobs in Shenzhen are being replaced by higher skilled employment . `` Shenzhen is moving up the value chain , '' Schmitz said . `` A lot of the jobs now that are available at places like Huawei ( the telecommunications giant ) ... you 're seeing a lot of folks who graduated from 'dazhuang , ' which is the vocational colleges of China , coming to Shenzhen instead of folks who have dropped out of high school perhaps or just come right off the farm . '' As China moves from an export-driven , investment-led economy toward domestic consumption growth , the nation depends on the rising buying power of its workforce . Still , `` 400 million people in China still live on less than $ 2 a day , '' Schmitz said . `` ( China ) is going to experience slower growth . Slower growth probably means fewer job , '' Schmitz said . `` I think there are a lot of threats that lie ahead . '' CNN 's Kristie Lu Stout contributed to this article .
China 's climb to the world 's second largest economy was built by Chinese workers . Chinese workers are demanding a greater share of the wealth and better access to social services . Higher living costs in the coastal areas are drawing more workers to rural areas of China . Despite Beijing 's economic growth , about 400 million people still live on less than $ 2 a day .