Our 10 most recent articles.
White collar workers face wage cuts and layoffs in wake of pandemic
One in three white collar workers have been laid off since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in China, according to a new survey by online recruitment agency Zhaopin. In addition, the majority of white-collar workers have experienced pay cuts, salary cancellations or delays in payment.
24 June 2020
As NPC opens in Beijing, China’s workers don’t feel even moderately prosperous
China’s National People’s Congress (NPC) finally opens in Beijing tomorrow after a two-month delay caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
21 May 2020
China’s official youth unemployment rate hits 13.8 percent in April
China’s urban unemployment rate increased by 0.1 percent in April to stand at 6.0 percent, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced today. It was the third month in a row that the rate has stayed around six percent after jumping sharply in February.
15 May 2020
China’s unemployment rate eases slightly in March to 5.9 percent
China’s urban unemployment rate eased slightly in March, declining by 0.3 percentage points to 5.9 percent from a high of 6.2 percent in February, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) announced today.
17 April 2020
Workers in limbo as authorities struggle for a coherent coronavirus policy
The government's need to get the economy moving again while controlling the spread of Covid-19 has left workers uncertain of whether or not they can return to work and the dangers they face if they do.
20 February 2020
I Swallowed an Iron Moon: The enduring legacy of worker poet Xu Lizhi
Xu Lizhi died five years ago today. He left behind a remarkable body of work that chronicles not only his own frustrations and unhappiness but those of millions of other workers across China.
30 September 2019
China’s unemployment rate jumps in July as graduates enter the job market
China’s urban unemployment rate increased by 0.2 percentage points last month to stand at 5.3 percent at the end of July.
14 August 2019
Will China’s new job creation program really benefit workers?
In response to the slowing economy and the threat of higher unemployment, China has vowed to put “employment first” and create around 11 million new jobs this year.
20 March 2019
Understanding and resolving the fundamental problems in China’s construction industry
In our latest research report, we analyse the deeply ingrained and systemic problems affecting workers in China’s construction industry and suggest a way forward in the future.
18 March 2019
Pension contribution rates for employers across China cut to 16 percent
The pension contribution rate of employers in China will be reduced from a ceiling of 20 percent to 16 percent of the overall wage bill, as part of a wide-ranging package of new measures designed to ease the burden on small and medium-sized enterprises.
06 March 2019