The ILO’s China country office was opened in Beijing in 1984, shortly after the start of the country’s reform process. Since then there have been significant changes in what is now the world’s fourth largest economy and China’s once centrally-controlled labour market is giving way to a market-oriented system. These reforms have created a number of challenges. These include rising unemployment (it’s estimated that more than 10 million jobs need to be created each year), widening income inequalities, the needs of vulnerable groups – particularly those who face difficulty finding work - and the need to develop high-skilled workers. In addition, efforts need to be made to assist rural migrant workers seeking jobs in urban areas.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the ILO in 2001 marked a new direction in the relationship. It defined a framework for cooperation, based on China’s national priorities and the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. Subsequently a Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), shaping the ILO’s work in the country, was agreed. The DWCP has four priority areas:
- Promoting employment and employability, and reducing inequalities - with a particular focus on the unemployed and internal migrants;
- Promoting better labour-management relations, effective labour market institutions and labour laws;
- Extending and improving social protection;
- Promoting fundamental labour principles and workers’ rights.
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