RESTLESS employees who cannot resist jumping ship whenever the mood takes them are sabotaging China's march towards a market economy, according to enterprise leaders.
Bosses are being forced to come up with increasingly attractive employment packages to lure quality staff, who then have to be kept motivated with rewards and enticements.
The new economic regime, which means the survival of only the fittest enterprises, has created high demand for the skilled and talented.
''A lot of people jump ship, especially in the middle of the year when staff get their yearly bonus,'' said Chen Caiying, promotions officer at the Yirong Group, a leading polyester plant in Shengze, a bustling township in Suzhou city.
''Staff turnover is high - to retain employees, the group has been raising wages and signing contracts with technicians.'' Chen Yongming, office director Shengze Printing and Dyeing Mill, also a leading Shengze polyester plant, said that job-hopping was common in the polyester industry in the township.
''Some employees previously at state enterprises have joined us as we offer better pay, for instance,'' he said.
