To ease the unemployment situation and create more jobs, the
Central Committee of the China Democratic League (CDL) has proposed
a system of 'shorter but more shifts' in certain government
departments and for certain professions, favoring a six-hour shift
over the usual eight hours.
The status quo is bleak. From 2000, about 3.38 million
university graduates have joined the pool of jobseekers each year.
To date, the average number of unemployed in urban areas stands at
about 8 million.
The proposal suggests changing the current typical eight-hour
workday to one that consists of two six-hour shifts; or two
eight-hour shifts to three shifts; or three eight-hour shifts to
four six-hour shifts.
The CDL estimates that if this new system is adopted, about 20
million new positions can be created by at least one-third of
high-profit enterprises in the secondary industry, including the
manufacturing, steel and automotive sectors, and about 30 million
in the tertiary industry including the services sector.
The proposal also recommends that the system be implemented in
public administrative units and institutions, supervisory
departments, and monopoly service industries.
The CDL believes that conditions are right for China to adopt
this system of work. Per capita gross domestic product (GDP) has
surpassed 10,000 yuan (US$1,250) and last recorded annual revenue
was 3,000 billion yuan (US$375 billion).
A report from the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued on February 14 shows
that urban areas need to create around 25 million jobs to
accommodate newcomers to the labor market, those who have been
retrenched from state-owned enterprises, and job hunters from the
rural areas.
However, it is estimated that, under current circumstances, only
11 million new jobs can reasonably be created. The surplus labor
this year will reach 14 million, about 1 million more than
last year.
Initial reactions to the proposal
Initial reactions to the proposal haven't been very positive.
Those currently employed feel that although the new six-hour
workday would give them more leisure time, it would also mean less
money.
Further, experts point out that the six-hour workday could also
result in other social problems including poor lifestyle and health
choices.
Moreover, the argument remains that increasing job opportunities
cannot be done at the expense of employee rights and benefits.
(China.org.cn by Wang Ke, March 9, 2006)