The Euphemism Factory: “Flexible” Means Precarious
Independent economists and observers interviewed by The Epoch Times (Dajiyuan) cut through the propaganda. Under the pseudonym Liu An, one Chinese economic scholar noted that China’s total employment figure hovers around 734 million. With nearly 300 million in “flexible” roles and another ~300 million migrant workers (with significant overlap), the true picture of stable, contracted employment with fixed wages, benefits, and protections is far smaller than official boasts.
Another commentator, Tao Wei (pseudonym), specializing in labor issues, pointed out that in Western labor statistics, many of these workers would be classified as underemployed, non-standard, or inadequately employed. Working a few hours a week with insufficient income to survive does not equate to genuine employment. By broadening the statistical definition, the CCP dilutes the visible unemployment rate and presents a facade of stability.
This is not new. As network writer Zhao noted, the regime has a long history of linguistic contortions to hide unemployment: “waiting for work,” “social youth,” and other euphemisms in the post-Mao era. Today, terms like “new employment forms,” “flexible employment,” and “slow employment” serve the same purpose—masking the harsh reality of an economy in decline, where millions are pushed into gig work amid factory automation, real estate collapse, youth unemployment, and capital flight.
Harsh Realities Behind the Numbers
The report touts narrowing income gaps between blue- and white-collar workers, with some high-earning niches like confinement nannies (月嫂, averaging over 10,000 RMB/month, top earners 25,000+), delivery riders (~8,325 RMB), and truck drivers (~8,279 RMB). Yet, as Zhao emphasized, these figures often reflect brutal trade-offs: excessive overtime, physical exhaustion, traffic risks for riders, and self-borne costs (fuel, vehicle loans, platform commissions, fines) for drivers. Many earn far less after deductions, with no social security net.
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