China to launch ‘2024 Spring Breeze Action’ in Jan-Apr to create 30 million jobs: labor ministry

China plans to launch a “2024 Spring Breeze Action” nationwide from late January to early April, aiming to create 30 million jobs, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security said on Wednesday.

The initiative will specifically target rural labor and businesses with a shortfall of workers, focusing on guiding migrant workers returning to urban centers, promoting local employment and entrepreneurship, and organizing recruitment services for businesses, Yun Donglai, a senior official with the labor ministry's employment promotion department, said at a press conference.

This action includes six key aspects. Firstly, it involves accurately identifying needs across the labor market by delving into rural communities and workshops, using various methods to learn the work preferences of workers and the headcount requirements of employers, Yun said.

The action also includes conducting intensive recruitment by making full use of online platforms such as public recruitment websites and short video platforms, as well as public squares, stations and market places to launch targeted recruitment activities.

It will also facilitate joint recruitment between labor intensive regions and those regions short of laborers; encourage entrepreneurship by exploring entrepreneurial incubation bases and hometown entrepreneurship parks. Additionally, it will aim to match job opportunities and skill training for aged migrant workers.

The entire initiative is expected to create more than 30 million job opportunities, Yun noted.

The Spring Breeze Action has been underway for many years, representing a significant part of government-led efforts to promote employment, Li Changan, a professor at the Academy of China Open Economy Studies of the University of International Business and Economics, told the Global Times Wednesday.

The period from January to April is crucial for the labor market, particularly for groups like migrant workers, as the period around the Spring Festival holidays represents a crucial juncture for choosing a job, Li said.

Through the support of these policies, it could reduce the imbalance in employment information and enhance overall employment efficiency, Li said.

In 2023, China added a total of 12.44 million urban jobs, official data revealed. The surveyed urban unemployment rate in the country stood at 5.2 percent, down 0.4 percentage points from 2022.

The overall employment situation remains stable, with a continued improvement in employment for key demographic groups, the National Bureau of Statistics said in a report.