China jobs: Gen Z graduates turn to cleaning as Beijing looks to domestic services to mop up unemployed youth, veterans
- China’s youth unemployment rate rose to a record high in June, pushing Beijing to vow to put job creation at the forefront of its plans in the second half of the year
- A record 11.58 million graduates are entering China’s workforce this year, with steps taken to encourage the housekeeping industry to employ young people and veterans
Two months after being laid off by a film and television company in Shenzhen in May, Deng Jun returned to his hometown in Hunan province to take up a job in the domestic service industry.
The 21-year-old, who started work in December before graduating in June with a major in post-production having, is in the process of completing a 30-day training course as part of his probation period, during which time he will earn 2,000 yuan (US$278) per month.
“The employment situation this year is becoming increasingly pessimistic. It is so hard to find a job,” said Deng, who is one of a record 11.58 million graduates entering China’s workforce this year.
It is much better than staying at home every day
Beijing has vowed to put job creation at the forefront of its plans in the second half of the year, with steps already taken to encourage the housekeeping industry to employ young people and graduates.
Deng starts his training at 9am and finishes at 5.30pm, including a lunch break of up to two hours, while he only receives three days off every month.
“It is indeed very tiring, causing lots of back pain,” he added. “Anyway, it is much better than staying at home every day.”