During this year’s Chinese New Year, a trend of taking holiday breaks early and returning to work sooner has emerged. Many factories started operations later than usual, but on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, a wave of migrant workers returning to their cities for work was observed across mainland China. Some laborers mentioned that the main reasons behind this trend were the tough economic conditions, intense job competition, and difficulties in obtaining train tickets.
The Chinese New Year holiday in China this year lasted from January 28th (New Year’s Eve) to February 4th (the seventh day of the first lunar month), totaling eight days. Typically, businesses reopen around the eighth day of the lunar calendar. However, the return migration of workers heading back to cities for work began as early as February 1st (the fourth day of the Lunar New Year), with long queues forming at train stations and on highways, particularly from grassroots workers in the Pearl River Delta region.
On social media platforms, netizens have been discussing the early return of workers, noting unusual occurrences such as businesses operating on the third day of the Lunar New Year instead of waiting until the sixth. The return migration started on the third day of the Lunar New Year, causing traffic congestion on national roads and highways.
According to the Wuhan Railway Administration Group, the period from February 1st to February 4th (the last day of the Chinese New Year holiday) saw a rapid increase in daily passenger volume, reaching up to 100,000 passengers per day. Similarly, the Guangzhou Railway Administration Group stated that the return migration of passengers increased significantly starting from February 2nd, with February 4th marking the peak in passenger flows.
Mr. Qin, a migrant worker in Shenzhen, mentioned that most factories are not resuming operations until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. He explained that due to fierce job competition in recent years and the difficulty in securing train tickets, workers are choosing to return early to secure their positions.
“In industries like electronics, clothing, and manufacturing, where I work, companies typically provide dormitory accommodation for workers, with some requiring utility payments. In higher-end industries like IT, workers have to rent their accommodation. Some companies even charge for work meals, adding more financial pressure on lower-income workers,” Mr. Qin stated.
Mr. Qin highlighted the challenges faced by workers in the door and window industry, noting a drop in wages due to reduced demand. He mentioned that many factories no longer offer overtime opportunities, leaving workers with minimal income. This situation has led to many workers being unable to earn enough and eventually resigning from their positions.
The economic downturn has also affected Mr. Lin, a long-time migrant worker in Guangzhou. He disclosed the struggles in finding stable employment opportunities due to age discrimination and the increasing competition for jobs.
“Many university graduates are unable to secure office jobs and end up in low-paying labor-intensive roles like delivery services. However, the influx of workers from other industries into the delivery sector has made earning a decent income even more challenging,” Mr. Lin explained.
Reflecting on the overall financial strain, Mr. Lin mentioned incidences of widespread debt among workers, citing examples of individuals struggling to receive payments for their labor or facing difficulties in collecting debts owed to them.
Post-pandemic economic challenges have made life increasingly difficult for many individuals, with some resorting to precarious means just to survive. Mr. Lin described how the festive atmosphere during the Lunar New Year has been subdued this year, with fewer expectations and celebration activities.
Regarding the societal dynamics, he noted the challenging circumstances faced by single men in rural areas trying to find suitable partners. While women have more choices, men are judged based on physical appearance, financial stability, property ownership, and job prospects. Mr. Lin lamented the fading tradition of arranged marriages in his community, reflecting the changing social landscape.
Overall, the prevailing economic difficulties have dampened the usual festive spirit of the Chinese New Year, with many workers experiencing reduced income opportunities and a subdued holiday atmosphere.