This study aimed to explore the direction of social work practices by examining how work values and job rewards were associated with job and life satisfaction among the new generation of Chinese migrant labourers who work in Guangzhou, China. Based on a survey design of 775 migrant labourers of two generational cohorts randomly selected from two toy factories, the results indicate that the younger participants' instrumental work values were negatively associated with job satisfaction. Moreover, of the younger participants, all aspects of perceived job rewards were positively associated with both job and life satisfaction. The results challenge the public perception that the acquisition of monetary reward is a prime source of positive life outcomes among the new cohort of migrant labourers. On the contrary, the young migrants who work in a metropolis in South China are conscious of the significance of all the extrinsic, intrinsic and social job rewards for their well-being. There is thus a need for social workers to generate multidimensional service strategies in response to their concerns. Besides providing training programmes and continuing education, practitioners can engage in social support interventions, cultivate a collaborative relationship with corporations and put pressure on the government to initiate policy changes. © 2014 The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved.

Life satisfaction social work in China Work values Job satisfaction Migrant workers job rewards

perception government human China major clinical study randomized controlled trial training Job Satisfaction social support controlled clinical trial continuing education social worker reward social work practice wellbeing migrant physician life satisfaction