2010-07-14 China’s New Source of Cheap Labor

[Micke]

China's New Source of Cheap Labor

With wage hikes and labor protests across China, some reports  have begun declaring that we're witnessing the "end of cheap Chinese labor."

But while rising wages will probably push some companies to look for cheaper labor in places like Vietnam or Cambodia, they may not have to go all the way there to get it. Often overlooked, tens of thousands of illegal immigrants are pouring into China from Vietnam, North Korea, and parts of Africa each year seeking work.

No one seems to know exactly how many illegal immigrants are entering China, mainly by crossing its vast southern border, but the number appears to be growing. Over 10,000 illegal immigrants live in Guangxi's Chongzuo City alone, according to an English-language report on the website of the People's Daily.

The immigrants, almost all from countries poorer than China, are a favorite with factory bosses and farm owners because they ask for a fraction of the usual Chinese wages and are seen as hard workers, say Chinese media reports. "They normally would work eight hours a day for an entire month without a day off," the Global Times quoted one boss as saying.

The Chinese government is ill-equipped to deal with illegal immigration on the current scale and is only now in the process of drafting its first immigration law. Part of the problem is simply that China is a massive country with much of its border unpatrolled. But it may also be that the government is reluctant to make decisions that are bad for business, especially without strong public support.

Besides the government, there doesn't seem to be much social pressure for the illegal immigrants to leave China. China has seen no American-style anti-immigrant sentiment emerge. Indeed, judging by Chinese media and online outlets, the Chinese public has been largely mum on the issue. Many Chinese are simply unaware of the scope of immigration as most migrants don't get too far from the southern border.

While some articles in the official media denounce illegal immigration, comments from the public mostly have a different point of view. "Asian immigrants, no problem, welcome to China!" begins one reader's post. Many Chinese comments about immigration reflect pride that China's economic growth is inspiring other Asians to come live the "Chinese Dream." Additionally, concerns about an aging Han workforce may dispel nationalist anger at young Vietnamese taking farming jobs in China.

That's not to say Chinese hospitality extends to everyone. Public reaction is far more negative about the rising tide of African immigrants, reflecting pervasive anti-black racism in China . "Vietnamese ok. But black people?—forget it," reads one comment in Chinese on a forum about immigration. Others make outright racist remarks and accuse black immigrants of contributing to crime.

It is still early in the saga of Chinese immigration, and views on all sides are likely to change as the unregulated influx of workers continues. How long before we hear calls for a second Great Wall of China?

– Christopher Carothers

http://blogs.wsj.com/chinarealtime/2010/07/14/chinas-new-source-of-cheap-labor/

Tämä video liittyy aiheeseen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKXBQT5yI0s&feature=player_embedded


Kiinnostavaa että rasismia löytyy Kiinasta. Saahan melkeinpä semmosen kuvan mediasta että ainoastaan Suomalaiset ovat rasisteja.  

[Runner]

''How long before we hear calls for a second Great Wall of China?''
Mielenkiintoinen maininta, massiivinen maahanmuutto-juttu on monelta kannalta historian toistamista. Rooman Barbaarit ja kiinanmuuri...

[Marjapussi]

Kiinalaisia kyllä virtaa myös laittomiin töihin naapurimaihinsa ja kauemmaksi. Kiinan mittakaavassa muutama kymmenen tuhatta laitonta työntekijää on pieni juttu, mutta laittomat afrikkalaiset ovat kyllä ongelma sielläkin. Monet heistä ovat sekaantuneet huumekauppaan ja muihin rikoksiin.