Comments on: China: Standard of the white-collar http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/ The world is talking. Are you listening? Mon, 28 May 2012 15:55:58 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: zozzen http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1206463 zozzen Thu, 15 Nov 2007 08:56:01 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1206463 It's a fake news. Please change the topic and add a note. It’s a fake news. Please change the topic and add a note.

]]> By: Weiwei http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1205460 Weiwei Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:35:47 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1205460 In my opinion, from 2000 the government decided to enlarge the enrollment of the higher eduction which deemed to delay the entrance of the large amount of the graduates to society. the employment environment thereby is competitive. hence, most people esp. the young employees have to work hard to avoid replacement. they complained about the long-time work on one hand but on the other hand they have to continue their situation. i have the confidence that in some years when china becomes more stronger the situation will change. come back to the topic. i suggest it depends on the living expenses of different people that decides the income is enough or not. in addition, the locals do not need to pay the rent compared to most of those coming from other cities. therefore the list might need to be more specific. In my opinion, from 2000 the government decided to enlarge the enrollment of the higher eduction which deemed to delay the entrance of the large amount of the graduates to society. the employment environment thereby is competitive. hence, most people esp. the young employees have to work hard to avoid replacement. they complained about the long-time work on one hand but on the other hand they have to continue their situation.
i have the confidence that in some years when china becomes more stronger the situation will change.

come back to the topic. i suggest it depends on the living expenses of different people that decides the income is enough or not. in addition, the locals do not need to pay the rent compared to most of those coming from other cities. therefore the list might need to be more specific.

]]> By: Adam http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1205208 Adam Sun, 11 Nov 2007 16:23:58 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1205208 Bob, Excellent question. Why <i>do</i> many East Asian people feel compelled to slog away for such inhuman hours? You suggest that the large population might cause stiff competition, and people thereby work harder to get ahead. This is a point of view I heard extensively while living in Korea too. Small country + high (urban) population density = stiff competition is inevitable. However, Korea is comparable in terms of size and population with the UK, and things don't seem half as cut-throat here. I realise China is hugely more populous and developing fast, but the fact this mindset is prevalent in neighbouring Korea too suggests it may be useful to explore the logic behind your statement. I look forward to your analysis in perhaps a future article. Bob,

Excellent question. Why do many East Asian people feel compelled to slog away for such inhuman hours? You suggest that the large population might cause stiff competition, and people thereby work harder to get ahead.

This is a point of view I heard extensively while living in Korea too. Small country + high (urban) population density = stiff competition is inevitable.

However, Korea is comparable in terms of size and population with the UK, and things don’t seem half as cut-throat here. I realise China is hugely more populous and developing fast, but the fact this mindset is prevalent in neighbouring Korea too suggests it may be useful to explore the logic behind your statement.

I look forward to your analysis in perhaps a future article.

]]> By: Richard Andrews http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1204917 Richard Andrews Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:19:48 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1204917 I think that as an expat living in Guangzhou, the supposed white collar wage per month as quoted above(4750RMB) is quite a bit lower than what it really is. I agree with Bob that its very easy for a company to fire and rehire a position because of the number of people here looking for employment. The elementary students do have homework all week, but they also have no friends and no life outside of their family. As for working all the time, the number of people here that quit a job because of the hours or because of the working conditions, will generally have a new job within a week of quiting of being fired. Life here in Guangzhou is for some difficult, but for most its not that bad. Compared to teh western world, most chinese would fall sick after a mornings work. I think that as an expat living in Guangzhou, the supposed white collar wage per month as quoted above(4750RMB) is quite a bit lower than what it really is.
I agree with Bob that its very easy for a company to fire and rehire a position because of the number of people here looking for employment.
The elementary students do have homework all week, but they also have no friends and no life outside of their family.
As for working all the time, the number of people here that quit a job because of the hours or because of the working conditions, will generally have a new job within a week of quiting of being fired. Life here in Guangzhou is for some difficult, but for most its not that bad. Compared to teh western world, most chinese would fall sick after a mornings work.

]]> By: China Notebook » CN: 11-8-07 http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1204129 China Notebook » CN: 11-8-07 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:36:07 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1204129 [...] *Standard of the white-collar [...] [...] *Standard of the white-collar [...]

]]> By: Bob Chen http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1204124 Bob Chen Thu, 08 Nov 2007 14:28:14 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1204124 @ Ay: Thank you for your opinion! Why Asians are more used to working hard and laboring all the time is quite worth discussions. The great population might contribute to it as well. The competition is so severe that people have to work more. Recently in China, for example, the new regualtion on holidays is under debate. Many people think though the law may define how much time they deserve to have rest, they can't really enjoy it because bosses would usually force sub-ordinates to work even on weekends. Anyone who grumbles is likely to be fired since it's so easy to find someone else. But after all, to catch up we have to pay. @ Ay:
Thank you for your opinion!
Why Asians are more used to working hard and laboring all the time is quite worth discussions. The great population might contribute to it as well. The competition is so severe that people have to work more.
Recently in China, for example, the new regualtion on holidays is under debate. Many people think though the law may define how much time they deserve to have rest, they can’t really enjoy it because bosses would usually force sub-ordinates to work even on weekends. Anyone who grumbles is likely to be fired since it’s so easy to find someone else.
But after all, to catch up we have to pay.

]]> By: Ay http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1203809 Ay Wed, 07 Nov 2007 21:35:08 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1203809 The classification of “white-collar” or “blue-collar” doesn’t contribute to the society so much. It brings labeling, stereotypes or prejudice against the weak. I agree with an institute such as Academy of Social Science to count the number of office workers and laborers / farmers, but they don’t have to classify them in “white-color” or “blue-color.” It is just a superficial status. The working condition in the West and Asia is very different. The West is undoubtedly better. The Chinese office worker in the article has “deteriorating living condition and heavier pressure.” They work hard, eat bad and “get up earlier than a rooster.” In my opinion, these conditions started since they were kids. In Asia, we have homework both on weekdays and weekends. I personally don’t mind studying on weekends at all. I love to relax and have fun, but I work when I have things to do. Since Asians get used to work all the time, not so many employees complain or try to change the harsh working environment. On the other hand, Western kids are different. The other day, I met a ten-year-old American student in the library. He said he doesn’t have homework on Thursday. I was surprised. Many American elementary school students have homework only from Monday to Wednesday. They are trained to work (study) on weekdays and enjoy after school and weekends. I wouldn’t argue which work / study environment is good or bad. It is just different. The classification of “white-collar” or “blue-collar” doesn’t contribute to the society so much. It brings labeling, stereotypes or prejudice against the weak. I agree with an institute such as Academy of Social Science to count the number of office workers and laborers / farmers, but they don’t have to classify them in “white-color” or “blue-color.” It is just a superficial status.

The working condition in the West and Asia is very different. The West is undoubtedly better. The Chinese office worker in the article has “deteriorating living condition and heavier pressure.” They work hard, eat bad and “get up earlier than a rooster.”

In my opinion, these conditions started since they were kids. In Asia, we have homework both on weekdays and weekends. I personally don’t mind studying on weekends at all. I love to relax and have fun, but I work when I have things to do. Since Asians get used to work all the time, not so many employees complain or try to change the harsh working environment.

On the other hand, Western kids are different. The other day, I met a ten-year-old American student in the library. He said he doesn’t have homework on Thursday. I was surprised. Many American elementary school students have homework only from Monday to Wednesday. They are trained to work (study) on weekdays and enjoy after school and weekends.

I wouldn’t argue which work / study environment is good or bad. It is just different.

]]> By: Bob Chen http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1203647 Bob Chen Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:26:49 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1203647 Here is the official announcement http://www.cass.net.cn/file/20071107104196.html Sorry! Here is the official announcement
http://www.cass.net.cn/file/20071107104196.html
Sorry!

]]> By: Bob Chen http://globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/comment-page-1/#comment-1203645 Bob Chen Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:24:00 +0000 http://www.globalvoicesonline.org/2007/11/07/china-standard-of-the-white-collar/#comment-1203645 Lately news: Academy of Social Science today denied that they have published such a list. So this report that attracted hot discussions might be faked. The Academy is going to investigate who fabricated this recent widespread list. I am still following its further development. http://www.chinanews.com.cn/sh/news/2007/11-07/1070298.shtml Lately news:
Academy of Social Science today denied that they have published such a list. So this report that attracted hot discussions might be faked. The Academy is going to investigate who fabricated this recent widespread list.
I am still following its further development.

http://www.chinanews.com.cn/sh/news/2007/11-07/1070298.shtml

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