Migrant workers seek jobs amid global downturn

WATCH VIDEO

A migrant worker said, "I've kept my job at a rubber factory, but many of my friends lost their jobs in the downturn. Some of their bosses just gave up and ran away."

Female migrant workers look at job information in the Hangzhou  Migrant Labour Force Market for jobs in Hangzhou, capital of  east China's Zhejiang Province, Feb. 5, 2009. According to  statistics of the market, the number of migrant workers looking  for jobs in Hangzhou after the traditional Chinese Spring  Festival is at the same level with those in 2008.  (Xinhua/Wang Dingchang)

Another said, "I came from east China's Jiangxi Province. I am not very confident about getting a job here. I don't mind what kind of job I do. I just hope I can earn some money here."

Official figures show that over 2 million migrant workers have returned or come to Guangzhou since the beginning of February. In recent days, the station has seen over 160 thousand passengers arriving every day.

Yin zhongmin, Director of Guangzhou Railway Station, said, "The situation is quite unexpected for us. Compared to last year, the number of arriving passengers has increased by almost 2 percent. And there are even more migrant workers still to come. We now estimate that the peak for arrivals will last for another 3 days, which is much longer than previous years."

For Guangdong Province, the situation is very intense. It is estimated that about 10 million migrant workers will come to the region this year.

Editor:Liu Anqi