Job market blues

Fresh college graduates are finding it increasingly difficult to get a job. A recent study shows that the situation could become worse if youths stick to the traditional concept of job hunting, says an article in Southern Metropolis Daily. Excerpts:

After the higher education reforms in 1997, the number of students graduating from colleges every year increased from 1.14 million in 2001 to nearly 7 million in 2013. But China's economic structure remained concentrated on labor-intensive industries during the period. And as we know, the industrial structure of a country has a direct bearing on the employment market.

The development of knowledge-based industries was stifled in China after it became the "world factory". Moreover, frequent policy interventions from local governments have aggravated the situation that has been created by the mismatch of resource distribution. For example, many local governments, keen on increasing their revenues, concentrate their efforts on developing the property market instead of encouraging knowledge-oriented companies that can create more white-collar jobs.

As a result, the number of jobs created every year is disproportionately fewer than the number of students enrolling in colleges. Some college graduates have settled for blue-collar jobs after been unable to find white-collar jobs, though. And the change in their attitude owes a lot to necessity and the lack of government support.

Given China's waning demographic dividend, the cost of labor will increase, and blue-collar workers will no longer be subjected to low salaries and, instead, become part of the middle-income group. As more college graduates take up blue-collar jobs, they will improve the status and prospects of blue-collar workers.

A social statement

After receiving reports that a 72-year-old man was illegally felling trees in Yongzhou, Hunan province, on June 11, a policeman rushed to the spot only to find that he was doing so to buy his grandson zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings) for the Dragon Boat Festival. On learning this, the policeman not only let him off, but also gave him 200 yuan ($32.62) to buy zongzi for his grandson, says an article in the Qianjiang Evening News. Excerpts:

The 72-year-old man took the risk of felling trees illegally because he had no other way to buy his grandson zongzi. Therefore, the policeman didn't contradict the law by letting him off. In fact, his gesture was most humane.

Zongzi may not be expensive. But the old man didn't have enough money even for that. Since his only son works in a city, he has to take care of his grandson despite of his old age.

Left-behind children (children of migrant workers who stay with their grandparents in rural areas) and senior citizens forced to fend for themselves are not uncommon in China. And one policeman helping one such senior citizen will not solve the problem.

The fact that the old man was forced to fell trees illegally just to buy his grandson zongzi is a social tragedy. It also draws attention to the plight of left-behind children and senior citizens. It's time the government helped the left-behind children and elderly citizens lead a better life.

(China Daily USA 06/18/2013 page12)