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China's Millennials Are Hustling For Part-Time Gigs Instead of Traditional Jobs (bloomberg.com)
Bloomberg has a report today in which it underscores a growing trend among millennials in China who are looking for part-time jobs. From the article: Hopping from one short-term stint to another isn't the sort of aspiration an earlier generation had in China, where the middle-class dream has long been university degrees followed by a stable job -- preferably one backed by the government. In a 2016 poll of 13,000 college students, 48 percent said they didn't want to enter the traditional labor market. Hardly any of these part-time jobs pay well, but it doesn't matter to millennials. The report adds: "The money is little," Zhang Chen, a 21-year-old accounting student said of the short gig that pays about 240 yuan ($35). "But I want a more interesting life." Chen was lined up for the work through DouMi, a startup that focuses exclusively on part-time positions and blends elements of a temp agency with an internet jobs board and marketing service. For around 130 yuan a day, DouMi users can sort crates of milk at a supermarket or hand out pamphlets on frozen sidewalks. Those considered "beautiful women," and between the ages of 18 and 28, can make four times as much plus tips by working as live-streaming models to keep mostly-male viewers entertained. Many of the roles run for mere days or weeks at a time, a flexibility that suits those juggling social lives and university studies. "Every month we have between 300,000 and 400,000 jobs," said Chief Executive Officer Zhao Shiyong.
...and demand full time employment.
The gig economy is an extension of the reduce all costs, regardless of longterm impacts mentality that has brought us off-shoring, temp workers and the destruction of the middle class and the safety nets of retirement benefits.
It is one more step down the short road that leads is to eating tasty soylent green while pedaling a stationary bike for electricity and dreaming of actually holding a grapefruit
I hate euphemisms, and "gig" is just a euphemism for day laborer. We've been down that path before, is this really what we want to go back to?
I've seen this before in the video game industry. High school graduates pissing their pants to test (not play) video games and get paid for it. Eager beavers willing to work 80 hours a week for months on end. Flash forward years later, they're no longer in the video game industry and realize that all they have accumulated is a bunch of cheap tech toys. Sad.
"moving out from underneath Mom and Dads roof;"
Its very easy to talk about money not mattering and wanting an interesting life when you don't have to worry about rent or bills. Part of being an adult is accepting responsibility for your own fate and - unless you want to live in a hut in the woods or a park bench - than means finding the money to pay the above.
The "gig" economy is just (usually rich) hipster talk for dead end park time McJobs thats been repackaged and remarketed for the latest gullible generation of 20 somethings who haven't yet wised up.
As opposed to the traditional job market where you may work between 1 and 10 different jobs throughout your entire working life (and getting bored in the process)? By comparison, E-giggers can work dozens or up to a hundred different jobs.
...that are boring right from the beginning.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
as long as they just part timers (w2's) and not 1099's.
I don't know how that works in China but in the usa there is a lot of abuse of 1099's as the work places get's out of paying taxes, uniforms (in some states they must be free to workers) others mini wage laws apply. liability, workers comp, tool/car/cell reimbursement.
Dunno where you work, but around these parts all the part time jobs are scheduled by the week, and half of them will fire you if you can't show up in 30 minutes when they call you in for the lunch rush or inventory night. Oh, you're at your other job? Oh your other job wants you from 11-2PM next week too? Tough shit, but hey, you only lose half your income.
If I have been able to see further than others, it is because I bought a pair of binoculars.
Not only is there an incredible amount of abuse, the IRS publishes rules about what is and isn't allowed, however the IRS does absolutely *nothing* about any abuse. They're quite happy to let it continue.