Job creation and higher living standards have long been key objectives for the Chinese government. However, millions of workers in traditional industries have been laid off and many of the new jobs being created in the service sector are insecure, poorly paid, and leave workers without social security and employment contracts. 

There are an estimated 292 million rural migrant workers in China, comprising more than one-third of the entire working population. They have been the engine of China’s spectacular economic growth over the last three decades but remain marginalized, and their children have limited access to education and healthcare.

Discussions at these meetings act as a barometer on labour policies for the coming year

This year, strikes by couriers on China’s 11 November online shopping day reached a record of 136, compared to just 31 in 2020.

Like Evergrande, Baoneng’s debt problems have developed into a crisis that affects the livelihoods of many workers 

China is undeniably a safer place to work than it was a decade ago. However, accident rates, death tolls and the incidence of occupational disease are all still comparatively high. New work hazards have emerged as the economy develops, and many employers continue to prioritise productivity and profit well above work safety.

Every employee in China is supposed to have a pension, medical and unemployment insurance, and a range of other welfare benefits. In reality, the system has largely failed to provide workers, and rural migrant workers in particular, with the social security they need and are legally entitled to.

Despite the surge in Covid-19 cases, garment factories are still operating and forcing workers to continue production as usual without complying with the pandemic guidelines Covid 19 guidelines agreed between brands, trade unions and suppliers.

China’s government has quietly announced the first major reform of the state-backed medical insurance scheme for urban workers in 22 years.