Employers in Shigu, an industrial area in the southern city of Dongguan, had to work hard this time last year to attract workers. Factories set up recruiting stations advertising the cleanliness of their dormitories and quality of their canteens. Milling workers, many of whom had jobs elsewhere but were on the lookout for an upgrade, queued up for tours of each factory's facilities.
On Friday, however, Shigu was quiet. While many factories have posted job openings on their gates, last year's beggars are this year's choosers – and vice versa.
“It should be easier for us to recruit people this year,” said Chen Dan, an executive at the Huajian Group, a large shoemaker with a factory in the area.