Recently, Shanghai has relaxed the criteria for identifying fresh graduates, stating that those whose graduation certificates are dated within 2 years will be considered fresh graduates, sparking debates. Some people express that in order to alleviate the difficulties in finding employment, ultimately, it relies on economic development. Moreover, a lawyer pointed out that the pressure of job competition for fresh graduates has increased.
On September 29, the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, in conjunction with relevant departments, issued a notice regarding optimizing adjustments for university graduates participating in the city’s recruitment examinations and employment.
The notice stipulates that when public institutions in the city recruit fresh university graduates, they are required to consider graduates who have not been formally employed within 2 years of the date on their graduation certificates (including the year of graduation). There are no restrictions based on whether they have work experience or have paid social security contributions.
At the same time, when local state-owned enterprises and central enterprises in Shanghai conduct campus recruitment, they are instructed to open positions to university graduates whose graduation certificates are dated within 2 years (including the year of graduation), without any restrictions based on work experience or social security contributions.
This notice has since sparked discussions.
Renowned lawyer, author of lengthy articles, and influential Weibo user “Lawyer Chen Xiaodou” stated, “In terms of employment, if more positions are not opened up, having the fresh graduate status does not hold much significance. Moreover, with the relaxation of the criteria for identifying fresh graduates, the number of individuals meeting the criteria will increase, thereby intensifying the competition.”
“In the past year, when considering college choices after the college entrance exam results were satisfactory, the order of consideration used to be: school first, location second, and then specialization. But now, the perspective has changed. A school or specialty that leads to employment is considered a good school or specialization.”
Weibo influencer “Grand Academic of Hongwen Hall” mentioned, “In essence, the relaxation of the criteria for identifying fresh graduates (to alleviate employment difficulties) is not about limiting the ‘benefits’ of fresh graduates, but about expanding the job market and opportunities so that more graduates, including fresh graduates, can have a share.”
“It should be noted that the number of positions offered by government agencies, public institutions, and state-owned enterprises to the society is limited. To alleviate the challenges in finding employment and reduce job anxiety, it ultimately relies on economic development and stimulating social vitality. With more precise institutional arrangements, fostering the growth of more businesses to provide higher-quality job positions, both fresh graduates and non-fresh graduates will have more diverse choices.”
A senior photographer at Beijing Xin Pianchang Media Co., Ltd., known as “Ahui” on Weibo, stated, “With the increase in the number of fresh graduates, naturally, the pressure for employment also increases.”
The author of the headline article, “Life and Death Equation,” commented, “When fundamental problems are not addressed, only minor issues are being solved.”
Weibo user “Cute Rabbit Economy” remarked, “The introduction of this policy can only prove that the job market has reached an incurable stage, like cancer. It’s just a form of palliative care.”
According to official data, the number of Chinese university graduates in 2024 has reached a record high of 11.79 million. According to the “2024 University Student Employment Strength Research Report” released by the ZhiLian Recruitment Platform, the employment rate for undergraduate and postgraduate students in general university programs is only 33% this year, marking a 17% decrease from last year.
In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for university graduates to find employment, leading to unemployment right after graduation. Many graduates from prestigious universities have voluntarily postponed their graduation, and the phenomenon of students pursuing master’s degrees applying for menial jobs is becoming more common.