Our 10 most recent articles.
October 2022 labour news roundup: Average weekly working hours increased under pandemic [1]
Also in this edition: Factory workers lose out on wages during peak season; retired workers re-enter the labour market; weak administrative enforcement of labour laws
14 November 2022
In aftermath of price wars in express delivery industry, pay rates for couriers still paltry [2]
While there has been a decline in delivery workers’ collective actions this year, some of China’s couriers report earning less than 1 yuan per delivery
11 November 2022
The Platform Economy [3]
In China, the scale of the platform economy, the conditions giving rise to the development of the sector, and the special regulatory environment all have unique features that affect workers. This explainer examines these angles primarily through the lens of two platform industries: the food delivery industry and the ride-hailing industry.
09 November 2022
September 2022 labour news roundup: Peak season labour shortage in manufacturing sector [4]
In this edition: Manufacturing sector experiences labour shortage during peak season; tech companies eliminate overtime pay for contractual workers; government circular signals possible pay cuts at financial sector SOEs; smaller cities unable to support local bus routes, leaving drivers unpaid; young lawyer takes own life in the face of harsh legal work culture; air conditioning installation accidents surge this summer
06 October 2022
Nurse shortage comes face to face with low pay, inadequate training and the pandemic [5]
Cost reduction mindset in industry leads to poor labour conditions and inadequate care for patients
30 September 2022
Economic trouble in real estate and industrial sectors affects vulnerable workers [6]
Photograph: humphery / Shutterstock.com
China’s economic troubles are revealed in China Labour Bulletin’s data on labour challenges that workers face. According to data collected in August 2022 in our Strike Map, Workers’ Calls-for-Help Map, and Workplace Accident Map, the effects are particularly acute for migrant workers in the construction sector and in the steel and coal production industries.
But first, don’t miss the content CLB has published recently:
14 September 2022
August 2022 labour news roundup: Youth unemployment at record high for fourth consecutive month [7]
In this edition: “Frictional unemployment” describes young people’s job prospects; live streamers experience labour disputes and excessive working hours; hospitals in financial crisis cannot pay wages and benefits; real estate recession leads to layoffs in steel industry; truck drivers on China’s “green passage” face challenges; workers suffer under extreme temperatures
07 September 2022
July 2022 labour news roundup: Widespread heat stroke and successive pandemic waves affect China’s workers [8]
Heat stroke leads to worker deaths, injuries; Covid-19 employment discrimination persists; youth unemployment rate at all-time high; civil servants see pay cuts; government regulates transport sector to relieve burdens on truck drivers
09 August 2022
CLB Report: Waiting for Weiquan: Worker rights protection at the All-China Federation of Trade Unions [9]
CLB investigates the role and effectiveness of rights defence (维权 weiquan) departments of China’s official trade union
08 August 2022
Hong Kong and mainland elder care workers in fifth pandemic wave face common industry challenges [10]
The interests of local and non-local workers are convergent, according to CLB’s investigation into residential elder care working conditions in Hong Kong
20 June 2022