40,000 job vacancies for migrant workers

A government service to help migrant workers find jobs in Beijing was established at the city's railway and bus stations two days ago, to help solve the city's labor crisis as many migrants have returned to their hometowns for an extended stay over the Spring Festival holiday.

Nine assistance stands are available from yesterday to March 31, where government employees offer free consultation and information on job opportunities for migrant workers.

Beijing goes through a labor shortage at each year end, especially in the manufacturing and service industry, said Zhang Yi, researcher with Institute of Population and Labor Economics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

"Hiring could be difficult for those industries, since the number of migrant workers with lower education is decreasing," Zhang said.

Restaurants, construction sites, and shopping malls are faced with the same problem, he explained, and the low pay makes more workers quit their jobs.

Job applicants can also get free consultation on social security policies and how to protect their legal rights at the stands.

Some 30 agencies have participated, and the bureau had collected 40,000 job vacancies by yesterday, according to Song Ye, an official with the bureau, the Legal Mirror reported.

"Seventy percent of our workers went home, and we have to call those who live in nearby areas of Beijing back when we have emergency projects," said a construction worker surnamed Meng.

"I'd like to hear about the service," he said, "and we'd love to hire people with government help." Most of their workers are introduced by friends, he added.

However, the government service may not secure a good job for migrants though it is for a good cause, Zhang noted.

"They introduce opportunities, but few would care about the future payment and whether it's reliable enough," he said.