After a quarter of a century of market reform, China has become the workshop of the world and the leading growth engine of the global economy. Its immense labour force accounts for some twenty-nine per cent of the world's total labour pool but all too little is known about Chinese labour beyond the image of workers toiling under appalling sweatshop conditions for extremely low wages. Working in China introduces the lived experiences of labour in a wide range of occupations and work settings. The chapters of this book cover professional employees such as engineers and lawyers, service workers such as bar hostesses, domestic maids and hotel workers, and industrial workers in a variety of factories. The mosaic of human faces, organizational dynamics and workers' voices presented in the book reflect the complexity of changes and challenges taking place in the Chinese workplace today. Based on extraordinary and thorough field research, this book will have a wide readership at undergraduate level and beyond, appealing to students and scholars from a myriad of disciplines including Chinese studies, labour studies, sociology and political economy.

This book offers a systematic analysis of the impact of work organization on the social stratification of individuals in urban China. It explains why economic and labor market segmentation is possible and necessary in state socialism at a certain stage of its development, as in market capitalism, and how important one's work unit or danwei is to the life of socialist workers in Chinese cities. Based on survey data, personal interviews, and official statistics, the author shows that structural allocation, status inheritance, educational achievement, political virtue, and interpersonal connections (guanxi) interplay in determining an individual's opportunities for entering and moving into a desirable place to work, for obtaining Communist party membership and an elite class status, and for receiving material compensation such as wages, bonuses, fringe benefits, housing, and home locations.

This book prepares expats for a posting in China. It will help them get the most out of a lifestyle and environment that will be very different from anything they have previously experienced. It covers: The business and social environment; Safety and security; Inoculations and illnesses; Healthcare; Housing; Domestic staff; Keeping pets; Climate and clothing; Communications; Transport CONTENTS: 1. Overview of living and working in China 2. The living and working environment 3. Safekeeping 4. Epidemiology 5. Healthcare 6. Accommodation 7. Domestic Staff 8. Keeping Dogs 9. Climate and clothing 10. Communications 11. Transport 12. Work Practices 13. Expat life

This book examines a three-way interaction among market, state, and family in China’s recent market reform. It depicts transformations in urban women’s experiences with both paid and non-paid domestic work. The book challenges China’s free-market approach and demonstrates its negative impacts on women’s work and family experiences by revealing labor commodification processes and work-to-family conflicts as the state abandons its commitment to public welfare. Using interview data collected from 165 women of three different cohorts in urban China during the 2000-2008 period, this study uncovers the revival of traditional gendered family roles among urban women and men as one of their strategies to resist market brutality and their struggles to balance work and family demands. The book also explores urban women’s non-market definitions of marital equality, and highlights theoretical and policy implications concerning market efficiency, marital equality, and the state’s role in protecting public good.

Drawing upon extensive life history interviews, this book makes the voices of ordinary women workers heard and applies feminist perspectives on women and work to the Chinese situation.

Following the lifting of China's Covid-19 restrictions on foreign access, professionals all over the world are once again pondering the opportunity to pursue a career in China. The April 2023 update of Google Trends highlights that interest is at its highest level, even before Covid-19, for the keyword "work in China." There are a number of reasons why more and more professionals are looking for work in China: Growing economy Market potential Investment in research and development Internationalization of Chinese companies Government incentives and policies Infrastructure development Technological advancements Global supply chain and manufacturing hub Entrepreneurial opportunities Cultural exchange and cross-cultural skills Networking and collaboration opportunities Professional development and learning opportunities Global career prospects Quality of life and cost of living. As a rising global power, China offers a unique landscape for those seeking career growth and financial independence. If you find yourself captivated by the prospect of embarking on a successful professional journey in China, this book is the definitive guide that will empower you to turn your aspirations into reality. This comprehensive book is a roadmap designed to help individuals from diverse backgrounds unlock the secrets to thriving in China's dynamic job market. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a corporate executive, or a freelancer, this guide equips you with the knowledge, strategies, and insights necessary to navigate the intricacies of China's business environment and seize lucrative opportunities. This book provides practical guidance that demystifies the complexities of working and thriving in China. Financial independence is a key focus throughout the book, as it recognizes that professional success is intricately linked to personal financial growth. With a dedicated section on personal finance, you will gain essential insights on managing your income, investments, and expenses in China, helping you build a solid foundation for long-term financial stability and prosperity. TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Financial Independence How to attain financial independence: the words of experts Achieving Financial Independence in China in 3 Steps Step 1: Finding a job in China Preparing to reach out Chinese companies General requirements The Chinese language requirement Step 2: Work and Life in China Life in Shenzhen Friendship in China How to make friends Step 3: Setting up and Running a Business in China How to finance your business in China Benefits of running a successful business Selling the business