China: Pearl River Delta is 2m men short

Chinese workers want more

It is not something that you'd really think was a problem for China, but apparently the super-state is facing a manpower crisis.

The Pearl River Delta manufacturing hub in southern China is reportedly two million workers short, suggesting that migrant workers will have to be shipped in from other parts of the country to aid production.

But for a country that has a population of over 1.3 billion, surely man-power isn't a problem?

High expectations?

According to the Chinese media, despite the large amounts of workers in the country, many are seeking higher wages and better working conditions leaving massive shortages in the more industrial sectors.

These 'labour intensive' jobs often pay low wages and as such, are finding it harder and harder to recruit and retain workers. Traditionally, Chinese workers would travel miles for these jobs but in recent years, major infrastructure projects funded by the country's economic stimulus package have given them the opportunity to work closer to home for better wages.

These infrastructure works such as road, railways and other transport systems were all funded by the government in the wake of the recession, and have given the large population a taste of higher wages, something they're not willing to give up.

Also, as each new generation in China becomes more educated than the last, their expectations of salaries and working conditions increase as well, making many people much more particular about where they want to work and what they want to do.

Of course, there is a positive effect to this - with less and less people wanting to go down China's numerous coal mines, the country has been forced to invest in newer, greener technology. Today, the country is rapidly becoming one of the largest producers of solar panels and such change will ensure the country becomes less of a labour-intensive driven economy and more a high-value technology driven country. Something that can only benefit China in the long run.

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Is China the new Dubai? | China's high-speed rail hurting air travel? | Megaprojects of Asia

Timon Singh

Timon Singh is a graduate of Liverpool University where he received a degree in Social and Economic History. He has previously worked for BBC Magazines on BBC Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, the publication for the popular genealogy show.

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