No jobs for migrant workers due to China’s zero COVID policy: Report

Beijing:

Voice Against Autocracy reports that China lifted the ‘Zero Covid’ policy in the hope that it would bring relief to its citizens, but it did not go down well with migrant workers as they had to look for new jobs after being hit by the stricter regulations It falls

The zero-covid policy has hampered China’s economy and affected migrant workers, who depend on day wages. In the week during the Lantern Festival, workers were often seen returning to their homes, as factories were short of workers, the report said, adding that after the ‘golden week’, workers returned to their jobs. But this time, they return early only to be discovered. for a job.

As Voices Against Autocracy reports, Covid has made things different this year, as workers are returning to job searches sooner than expected and are still unable to find a steady income.

After the Foxconn disaster last year, which was blamed on alleged unfair treatment of workers, confusion over wages and bonuses, unpaid COVID-19 quarantine protocols and unsanitary living conditions, the plight of migrant workers has only worsened.

The situation is similar in almost all regions of China, including Shenzhen, Qian’an and Guangzhou, as they are giants providing employment to millions of migrant workers, the report said.

Furthermore, according to Voice Against Autocracy, if the given situation persists for a long time, there is a high possibility that China may be stripped of its title of being the ‘manufacturing hub of the world’ and countries such as the US and Europe Big countries can turn a blind eye. towards other options like Vietnam and India.

Meanwhile, in Global Strat View, Hong Kong-based economist Zhiwei Zhang highlighted the negative impact of Covid infections on China’s economy and the Xi Jinping government’s reliance on demography.

“Going forward, demographics will be a headwind. Economic growth will have to rely more on productivity growth, driven by government policies,” he added.

In 2022, China’s GDP is projected to grow by only 3 percent, the worst since the Mao era. A similar economic situation was observed during the Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution, reports Global Strata View.

Instead, it is poised to be subject to prolonged weather thanks to severe shocks expected as the fallout of uncontrollable Covid-19 infections and the demographic crisis.

Also, it is facing a new problem of less workforce due to dwindling population. These factors will seriously affect all major sectors of China’s economy, such as manufacturing, agriculture and services, according to a Global Strata View report.

As per Global Strat View report, the ‘Zero Covid’ policy was abruptly canceled a few weeks back, causing confusion and unrest in the society, leading to an increase in Covid cases, making people sick, thus Naturally business activities slowed down.

Renaud Anjoran, CFO of Hong Kong-based supply chain management firm Sophist Ltd, said production was slow as more than 40 per cent of the workforce, including top executives, was down with Covid.

“The situation is so volatile. China’s production is going to be affected for some time to come,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)