Jobs are once again becoming available in China's major cities, and migrant workers are returning in droves after last year's exodus brought on by the global financial crisis.
The Pearl Delta, which has traditionally depended on migrant workers, was badly hit by the global financial crisis last year. Many enterprises eliminated jobs, and migrant workers were forced to return to their home provinces. But now, the employment picture has greatly improved, and workers are returning.
Gui Linchan, Manager of Great Wall Computer, Shenzhen said "We hired more workers recently compared to last year. Since February, we hired six to seven hundred."
In the first half of the year, urban employment stopped falling and began to rise, while 95 percent of the migrant workers who returned home are now coming back to the cities and planning to find work.
Yin Chengji, Spokesman of Ministry of Human Resources & Social Security said "In the fourth quarter of last year, China's urban employment fell sharply. But it soon recovered in the first quarter of this year, and stabilized in the second quarter. We think that the general employment situation is better than expected."
The increase of jobs is directly linked to the four trillion yuan stimulus package that the government launched at the end of 2008. It is also attributable to preferential policies, including promotions for home appliances purchases in rural areas and an increase in tax rebates.
(CCTV August 5, 2009)
