As China's migrant workers get older, it can get harder for them to find jobs, especially for those aged 50 and above. Add to that the challenges of physical limits, lack of education and general disadvantages in terms of salary and insurance, and the issue of elderly migrant workers becomes very stark.
China workplace
Economy
The real estate sector in China’s first-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai has recorded declining performance since the pandemic, with a full rebound still nowhere to be seen. Given the usual lag in the effectiveness of policies after implementation, will the real estate market see a silver lining ahead? Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Chen Jing tells us more.
Society
Even as Chinese parents and the Chinese government are encouraging — and pressuring — young people to get married and have children, an increasing number of young people are more aware of themselves and what they want to get out of relationships, and are saying no to simply getting married for the sake of it.
Economy
The growing problem facing disabled workers in the Chinese job market has prompted regulators to tighten their grip on the booming affiliation business, but they are also encountering difficulties.
Society
Young people in China are turning to night classes as a source of mental respite from the daily grind. From Shanghai and Beijing to Nanjing and Wuxi, thousands of applications are seen for classes with dozens of vacancies. Does this trend point to a larger social phenomenon?
Society
Lianhe Zaobao journalist Daryl Lim dives into a new trend among Chinese youths: volunteering at Buddhist temples. This new wave of young volunteers do not have a religious purpose in helping at temples but are seeking a different way of life, or even an escape from the pains of the current social and economic realities.
Technology
China’s tech sector has been making mass layoffs, freezing hiring and cutting pay since 2022, and there is little sign of a bounce-back. Cost reductions, efficiency enhancement or talent structure optimisation are often the words these companies use. But what is really weighing on the job market are sluggish business growth, intensified market competition and the unprecedented challenges of the business landscape amid new technology.
Economy
Dalian in China’s Liaoning province is not the first place one would think of in relation to the tech industry, but northeast China — despite the gap in its development compared to other parts of China — hopes to ride the wave of tech development, such as in the area of robotics.
Society
Given Taiwan’s low birth rate and ageing population, the labour shortage has become a severe issue, especially in the hospitality industry. While the government seems to be keen to open up to migrant workers, this might mean larger issues down the road. So why not open up the opportunities for Taiwan’s middle-aged and elderly? Lianhe Zaobao journalist Chuang Hui Liang speaks with academics and industry insiders to find out more.