Migrant workers return home for family reunion

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But in a change from previous years, the global financial crisis is taking its toll on China.

Each year's Spring Festival sees an exodus of migrant workers  moving from the richer southern coastal areas to their  hometowns in poorer central and western regions.

18-year-old Li Qiang works at a cellphone factory in Shenzhen.

Migrant worker Li Qiang said, "The financial crisis has been going on since the second half of last year. Before that, I earned 1700 yuan a month. But during the later half of last year, I could only earn the base salary. That's slightly over 900 yuan a month, much less than before."

Others have had similar experiences.

31-year-old Liao Xiangyi works at an electrical applicance factory in Dongguan, He said the financial crisis has had a great impact on the company he works for since orders from overseas have shrunk dramatically.

Migrant worker Liao Xiangyi said, "I will not return to the same company after the Spring Festival because many of our colleagues have left. For people who are staying, they have to work much harder to earn the same level of salary. Each person has to take on the workload of two to three people. "