While poverty and superstition may co-exist in some parts of India, as sociologists have noted, the "fate" theory, I told him, was simply ridiculous. My earlier interactions with Indian migrant workers have suggested they are toiling hard to improve their lot, not sitting idle cursing "bad luck!"

The Indian situation is complex.

Welfare policies for the poor and relocation plans for slum dwellers aren't always well implemented. At times, migrant slums in major metropolises also tend to get used as "vote banks" by some local politicians, who stall government efforts to demolish such sites. In addition, police suspect a section of migrants to be illegal settlers, largely from bordering Bangladesh and Nepal.

In the past decade, analysts have also blamed the sluggish pace of economic reforms for India's inability to curb poverty faster.

But China, the world's second-largest economy and a country that's long enjoyed the reputation of getting things done and fast, should be better placed to fix the problems of its migrant workers.

Government researchers point to improvements, as wages rise and general living conditions get better. They cite family, rather than individual migration as a new trend among younger Chinese migrants.

"Most of them can't bring major family members together at once, but it's fairly common for 70 percent of them to have their spouse move in first, then their children," according to a report released by the National Health and Family Planning Commission on Nov 18.

The commission urges the need to do more to integrate migrant workers into cities.

But changes in policies alone wouldn't help. In the face of rising labor shortage, greater public empathy toward migrant workers would likely benefit all sides.

Wang and Zhang say they've seen uncertain times in Beijing, but neither is looking to leave the city in a hurry.