China jobs: employment being ‘hit quite hard’ by coronavirus, Beijing pledges support

China’s so-called dynamic zero-Covid policy has forced factories and businesses to close over the last two months amid the worst coronavirus outbreaks for two years

China’s urban surveyed unemployment rate had already rose to 5.8 per cent in March, with a record 10.76 million college graduates set to enter the market this year

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China’s so-called dynamic zero-Covid policy has forced factories and businesses to close over the last two months with the country grappling with its most severe coronavirus outbreaks for two years. Photo: Getty Images

Published: 8:30pm, 28 Apr 2022Updated: 5:52am, 29 Apr 2022

With the resurgence of China’s large-scale lockdowns “hitting employment quite hard”, policymakers have pledged to step up support measures, especially for the nation’s record 10 million college graduates.

China’s so-called dynamic zero-Covid policy has forced factories and businesses to close over the last two months with the country grappling with its most severe coronavirus outbreaks for two years.

The moves are particularly damaging in the likes of Shanghai and Shenzhen that are seen as pillars of the Chinese economy, which is showing signs of distress.

“Now we need to place greater importance on stabilising employment. The new round of Covid flare-ups have hit employment quite hard,” Premier Li Keqiang said as he chaired a State Council executive meeting on Wednesday.

We must make dedicated efforts to support market entities and keep employment stable

Li Keqiang

China’s urban surveyed unemployment rate had already risen to 5.8 per cent in March from 5.5 per cent in February, while the rate for people aged from 16 to 24 increased from 15.3 per cent to 16 per cent last month.

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