Having failed to find his dream job at a Chinese internet company upon graduation, Mr Peter Liu settled for a role in a state library where there is so little need for his participation that he spends his time studying for a change in his career path.
“It’s really hard to get work at big companies,” said the 24-year-old, who majored in TV production at a Beijing university before moving back home in the central Henan province.
Mr Liu got the librarian job after a government-led campaign to secure temporary work for graduates, which analysts describe as a short-term solution to preserve social stability in a slowing economy with little on offer for young Chinese.
Such “welfare jobs”, as they are known in China, include roles as receptionists, office administrators, security guards and community workers.
Various government institutions offer such jobs every year, but they had usually drawn applications from disadvantaged groups, such as elderly or disabled people.
In 2023, amid a deepening youth joblessness crisis in the world’s second-largest economy, even remote rural positions have seen intense competition from young Chinese with diplomas from top universities, graduates and economists say.
This story is from the November 15, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the November 15, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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