Flexible Employment to Reach 40% of Workforce in China; Hu Xijin Calls for Clarification
A report predicts that China's flexible employment will reach 320 million people by 2026, accounting for over 40% of the workforce, sparking public concern. Former Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin urged a clarification, stating that 'flexible employment' is not unemployment and emphasizing the need for better social and medical insurance for this group.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 15:04
- 🔍 Collected: June 12, 2026 at 15:19 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 15:20 (1 min after Collected)
(Central News Agency, Taipei, 12th) A '2025 China Blue-Collar Employment Research Report' was recently released, predicting that China's flexible employment population will reach 320 million this year, accounting for over 40% of the employed population, causing public panic. Former Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin wrote an article calling for a clarification of the concept, stating that 'flexible employment' is not 'unemployment' or 'lack of formal work,' and that the real issue lies in ensuring social insurance and medical insurance for flexible workers.
The claim that the number of flexible workers has exceeded 300 million comes from the '2025 China Blue-Collar Employment Research Report' recently published by the China New Employment Forms Research Center. After the figures were released, some questioned the source of the data, while others worried whether the surge in flexible workers signals an economic downturn and difficulty in finding jobs.
Based on 28,450 valid samples, the report researched and estimated the blue-collar job market from 2024 to 2025, covering industries such as ride-hailing, express delivery, domestic services, online streamers, truck drivers, manufacturing, construction, and security.
According to the report, the number of flexible workers in China in 2025 is 280 million, and it is expected to reach 320 million in 2026, formally transitioning from a 'supplementary form' to a 'key pillar' of the job market.
Hu Xijin pointed out in his article that the figure of 320 million flexible workers is unofficial, while the official figure is over 200 million. Regardless of the number, he argued, more publicity and explanation are needed regarding the meaning of flexible employment. Many people equate flexible employment with 'unemployment' or 'lack of formal work,' viewing the concept as a 'fig leaf' for high unemployment rates. Such misinterpretation, he said, undoubtedly erodes social confidence.
He stated that local governments and institutions must never categorize truly unemployed people as flexible workers. There are rumors that some universities, in order to boost their employment rates, have listed graduates who have not found jobs as 'flexible workers.' While evidence for this claim is currently lacking, such practices must not be allowed. The two groups—flexible workers and the unemployed—must be strictly separated; this is key to increasing the credibility of the concept of flexible employment.
The reason flexible employment causes panic is the lack of security. Hu believes that the basic rights of the flexible employment group, such as social insurance and medical insurance, need to be given high priority and explored more quickly. Many of them already have monthly incomes that are not too low, but the welfare system has not kept pace.
The claim that the number of flexible workers has exceeded 300 million comes from the '2025 China Blue-Collar Employment Research Report' recently published by the China New Employment Forms Research Center. After the figures were released, some questioned the source of the data, while others worried whether the surge in flexible workers signals an economic downturn and difficulty in finding jobs.
Based on 28,450 valid samples, the report researched and estimated the blue-collar job market from 2024 to 2025, covering industries such as ride-hailing, express delivery, domestic services, online streamers, truck drivers, manufacturing, construction, and security.
According to the report, the number of flexible workers in China in 2025 is 280 million, and it is expected to reach 320 million in 2026, formally transitioning from a 'supplementary form' to a 'key pillar' of the job market.
Hu Xijin pointed out in his article that the figure of 320 million flexible workers is unofficial, while the official figure is over 200 million. Regardless of the number, he argued, more publicity and explanation are needed regarding the meaning of flexible employment. Many people equate flexible employment with 'unemployment' or 'lack of formal work,' viewing the concept as a 'fig leaf' for high unemployment rates. Such misinterpretation, he said, undoubtedly erodes social confidence.
He stated that local governments and institutions must never categorize truly unemployed people as flexible workers. There are rumors that some universities, in order to boost their employment rates, have listed graduates who have not found jobs as 'flexible workers.' While evidence for this claim is currently lacking, such practices must not be allowed. The two groups—flexible workers and the unemployed—must be strictly separated; this is key to increasing the credibility of the concept of flexible employment.
The reason flexible employment causes panic is the lack of security. Hu believes that the basic rights of the flexible employment group, such as social insurance and medical insurance, need to be given high priority and explored more quickly. Many of them already have monthly incomes that are not too low, but the welfare system has not kept pace.
FAQ
Who is the main publisher of this report?
The China New Employment Forms Research Center.
What is Hu Xijin's view on flexible employment?
He stated that flexible employment is not unemployment and emphasized the importance of social and medical insurance.
What is the main reason flexible employment causes panic?
The lack of basic protections such as social insurance and medical insurance.