The path to success in China seems to be taking an unexpected turn as 2024 unfolds. Reports from VOA’s Mandarin Service have shown that job opportunities in the coastal cities are dwindling, leaving migrant workers and local business owners facing an uncertain future. The idyllic image painted by the government for the coming year seems to be fading away.
Ma Hailiang, a labour broker in Shantou, has witnessed a dramatic shift over the past seven years. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the city was teeming with jobs, particularly in the toy manufacturing industry. However, the flow of orders has slowed down significantly, prompting many workers to return home or look for work elsewhere.
Former factory worker Shen Mei found herself grappling with the difficult decision to go back to her hometown due to the lack of employment opportunities. She spoke of enduring long, gruelling work hours and struggling to make ends meet, painting a bleak picture of life for migrant workers.
The issue of unemployment appears to be widespread, impacting both workers and business owners. Ma Lijuan, a chef in a toy factory in Guangzhou, discovered that many of her colleagues faced salary cuts. Meanwhile, Ma Xin, who runs a noodle shop near a large industrial park, has seen a sharp decline in customers, affecting the financial health of his business.
The predicament faced by Ali, the owner of a beef noodle shop in Shanghai, is equally challenging. He revealed that 2023 was an incredibly tough year, leaving many people strapped for cash and struggling to survive. The decline in the city’s floating population, made up of migrant workers seeking opportunities, has led to the closure of numerous small factories and restaurants.
The first-hand accounts of those directly impacted tell a story of disappointment, hardship, and uncertainty for many who had hoped for a brighter future. While President Xi Jinping has expressed optimism for the country’s economic recovery, the individuals on the ground are feeling the harsh impact of the slowing economy.
As the Lunar New Year approaches, many find themselves facing the harsh reality of a cold winter, both in terms of the weather and economic prospects. It serves as a stark reminder that beneath the outward appearance of economic growth lies the harsh reality of countless individuals enduring hardship and facing an uncertain future.
The struggles experienced by migrant workers and small business owners in China are more than just numbers or headlines. They are the personal stories of individuals striving to create a better life for themselves and their families. And right now, that journey seems to be filled with challenges and obstacles.
