101 East

China’s labour pains

Change is sweeping through China’s factories as workers demand better wages and conditions.

Change is sweeping through China’s workshops and factories, where workers’ demands are growing as they realise their value to employers and the Chinese economy.

Unrest, suicides and strikes have forced some companies to increase workers’ wages and benefits.

The unrest has driven home a looming reality: The supply of workers aged 16 to 24 years old has peaked and will drop by one-third in the next 12 years, thanks to stringent family planning policies.

And today’s young workers are less willing to toil long hours for dismal wages.

On this edition of 101 East, we look at the changing face of China’s labour force.

This 101 East episode airs from Thursday, September 23, 2010, at the following times GMT: Thursday: 1230; Friday: 0300; Saturday: 0530, 1730; Sunday: 1130; Monday: 0030; Tuesday: 0600, 1430; Wednesday: 0830; Thursday: 0630.