China jobs: returning migrant workers battling low salaries, lack of openings as economic realities hit home
- Migrant workers returning after the Lunar New Year holiday have low expectations for a pay rise this year, as the number of jobs is not as high as last year.
- China’s economy has endured a challenging exit from its zero-Covid policy, with its 5.2 per cent growth last year not being felt by consumers or the job market
Although there were still four days remaining until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday earlier this month, Baiyun Railway Station in Guangzhou was already packed with migrant workers who had left their hinterland hometowns early to take up jobs in the southern manufacturing hub of Guangdong.
Jobseekers of all ages, with accents from all over China, were lingering briefly at the station’s square, dragging suitcases and carrying backpacks, taking a moment to rest, before flocking to the neighbouring cities.
Like many newcomers, twenty-something Li Xiao was hoping for a higher salary than his previous night shift factory job in the central province of Jiangxi.
“I can accept a waiter job of about 4,500 yuan (US$650) or 5,000 yuan since production line workers are expected to earn about the same this year,” he said.
Factories are not struggling to recruit workers this year
