Post-holiday labor shortage

Several cities in Guangdong province face a labor shortage after the Spring Festival holiday, even though many employers have promised to raise wages and improve working conditions. The authorities should take measures to overcome this seasonal problem, says an article in Xi’an Evening News. Excerpts:

Employers in the industrial belts of China have been facing labor shortages immediately before and after Spring Festival for the past few years. Apart from the tradition of going home for family reunions, the gradual decline of China’s demographic dividend is also to blame. Compounding the issue is a feeling of insecurity among many workers of the private sector.

To ease the labor shortage, therefore, the authorities need to take steps to increase employees’ sense of security, which can be done, for example, by raising their wages. Employers, apart from offering comprehensive welfare packages, should also provide workers with professional training and better working conditions.

Besides, employers should stop looking for only young workers given the current aging trend in society. And grassroots labor security centers should play their role constructively by gathering timely information on job seekers and vacancies to provide proper services both to potential employees and employers.