labor - Shortages expand to northeast

An acute shortage of workers is noted in the northeastern city of Harbin, the China Daily writes today. Since early 2004 the southern provinces of Guangdong and Fujian were for the first confronted with a shortage of migrant workers in China. Just as in the southern parts of China, Harbin officials point at the low wages as the main reason for the shortage.

"It is a strange phenomenon," Men Xianjun, director of the Harbin Municipal Labour Market said. "On one side, there are many job seekers queuing in the labour markets. On the other side, many places are suffering severe labour shortages. "The obvious reason for this is that the two sides cannot reach a satisfying price."