Workers scramble for day jobs in Hebei

Peasant workers talk with a employer. [Photo by Zhang Yu/chinadaily.com.cn]

Yang Kang, manager of a local construction company, said it's convenient to find temporary employees from roadside labor markets and the pay is relatively low.

"There would be commissions to pay if I find workers through brokerage firms," Yang said.

Last Friday, Wang waited until 10:30 am, but still didn't get a job.

"It was common. I usually wait a whole morning or even a day, but get nothing," Wang said. "The numbers of employers coming here will increase to normal after the Lantern Festival."

When asked why he didn't find a steady job that could give him regular salary and spare him the daily competition for jobs, Wang said he didn't have much choice with only a junior high school education background.

"It's not that I don't want a steady and cushy job," Wang said. "I am very suitable for a stable job like a security guard at shopping malls or factories."

But he always refused such offers because the jobs are not well paid at just 1,500 yuan ($230) or so for a month.

"I can earn about 3,000 yuan a month on average by finding jobs from the market, though I'm more tired," Wang said.

Wang said he dislikes formal labor markets as they are far away and not as convenient as the roadside ones. "Besides, it's complicated for us to register or complete applications," he said.