Xiao Fusheng [Photo by Qiu Quanlin/Asianewsphoto]

On a busy road in the downtown Tianhe district of Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province, Xiao Fusheng and his fellow workers unload bottled water from a truck and place them onto tricycles for delivery.

Xiao, 40, from Hunan province, then brings them to households and offices nearby.

“I do get not tired. Working under the scorching sun is really like working on a rainy day. I have become used to the conditions since I came here eight years ago,” Xiao said.

Xiao’s job allows him to afford his child’s school fees as he earns nearly 5,000 yuan ($814) a month from delivering water.

“Compared with most workers from my hometown, my salary is higher. I feel I am still young and energetic. I need only one or two days off a month,” Xiao said.

Xiao, whose son studies at a high school in his hometown, said his working conditions have improved in recent years.

“I am paid a subsidy of up to 150 yuan a month for working in scorching conditions. Moreover, most bottled water is delivered to offices nearby – which means that I don’t need to carry them on the stairs sb to households,” he said.

qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn