A survey released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Labor and Social
Security shows that enterprises in 23 big cities, primarily in the
country's main economic regions including the Yangtze Delta and
Pearl River Delta areas and Bohai Rim region, will be recruiting
more employees this spring.
A total 2,606 enterprises participated in the survey.
More than 80 percent of the enterprises surveyed in cities
including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen plan to
increase staff numbers over the next two months.
Among them, 40 percent will recruit new hires this month.
Survey results also showed that more enterprises would consider
new hires based on education level, skills and age. Some 83 percent
of enterprises are looking to employ those with at least junior
middle school qualifications, 53 percent are looking for skilled
workers with technical training, and 62 percent are offering
positions to those between the ages of 18 and 25.
Some 79 percent of respondents will recruit from the local labor
market, 57 percent will advertise, 52.5 percent will rely on
referrals, and 27 percent will work through recruitment
agencies.
Also, 63 percent of respondents said that they would most likely
raise salaries to an average monthly wage of 949 yuan (about
US$118) for an ordinary worker. Employees of corporations around
the Yangtze River Delta area could expect a comparatively higher
average monthly pay of 1,063 yuan (about US$132). Around the
mid-western area, wages would be comparatively lower at 723 yuan
(about US$90) a month.
Higher salaries could be expected in certain industries such as
transportation, medical and pharmaceutical products, building, and
machine manufacturing. Other industries such as some wholesale
distribution and retailing, food and beverage, and toy
manufacturing could actually lower salaries.
Another survey released the same day by the ministry shows that
75 percent of people will leave their homes in the country to look
for work. Only 7 percent of those surveyed said they would
not.
Some 43 percent of respondents said they chose to look for jobs
in their own provinces, 20 percent would go to the cities around
the Pearl River Delta area and 16 percent would go to the cities
around the Yangtze River Delta area.
The purpose of this other survey was to find out the conditions
of migrant workers, and how they were being paid and treated. A
total of 48 counties of 25 provinces, and 5,300 people participated
in the survey.
Survey results showed that a migrant worker worked an average
9.5 months in 2005; 80 percent of workers were paid in full; 18.5
percent received most of their salaries, and 1.1 percent didn't get
paid at all.
Among those who wanted to leave their hometowns, 79 percent said
they would go back to former employees, and 21 percent wanted a
change.
Most would turn to relatives or recruitment agencies for help in
finding work, and salary expectations are 1,189 yuan (about US$148)
a month.
(China.org.cn by Zhou Jing, February 10, 2006)