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Grass is greener for workers abroad

By He Bolin (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-03-09 07:51

Chinese workers construct a cement plant in East Saudi Arabia in Feb 2008. China's Sinoma International Engineering Co Ltd contracted the project. Xinhua

Four years ago, Liu Guangqiang, a 28-year-old construction worker from Sichuan province, was recruited by China Road & Bridge Corporation to work in Kenya.

During Spring Festival, he flew home for a reunion with his family, who recently moved from the countryside to Chengdu. By working overseas, Liu saved enough to pay for a $59,000 flat.

"My salary is about $4,000 a month, and I send most of it back to my family. It covers their living expenses, and provides good nutrition for my newborn son," Liu said.

More and more Chinese are now working abroad, as rural workers find it harder to find a job in China. The number of Chinese working overseas increased by about 10 percent last year, from about 4 million to 4.39 million, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

To his friends, Liu's overseas job has meant a wonderful change in his family's fortunes. For Liu, however, it has not been easy.

"The pay is good, but life there is dull. I spend the whole year remembering the ten days I was at home," Liu said.

Still, Liu has recently decided to take his 22-year-old brother back with him to work in Kenya. Liu's parents worried that his brother was too young for such a move, but consented because he was unable to find a job at home. Liu's wife prepared a large package of local specialities for the departing brothers, who are now back in Kenya.

As some 20 million migrant workers return home after losing their jobs, the lure of a well-paid job overseas is obvious. A construction worker or chef working overseas can send between $7,500 and $30,000 a year back home, enough to sustain even an extended family.

Chinese expatriates now work in more than 180 countries around the world. Most go to Europe, the US, and the burgeoning economies of Southeast Asia, while Africa is becoming more popular.

To many Chinese living in the countryside, an overseas job means twice the salary they would earn at home. Yet some are reluctant to go abroad because they worry about language, food, and other cultural barriers.

Safety is also a concern. Reports of Chinese workers being mugged or kidnapped have been widely publicized and have made some cautious about exploring work opportunities overseas. Often, however, the benefit to their extended family is persuasive.

Success stories like that of Shuai Xuejun are well known among migrant workers.

Shuai, from Tonggu County in Jiangxi Province, went to war-torn Iraq in 2004 and set up a Chinese restaurant. By accident, he discovered a pepper from Syria that is much spicer than those produced in Iraq. He bought 30 boxes on the spot; they proved to be popular with American soldiers stationed in Iraq, and Shuai's restaurant was an instant success. He now grosses $50,000 - $70,000 a month in Iraq, and has opened another successful restaurant in Africa.

Even for Shuai, life abroad has not been easy. An explosion nearby scared diners away from his restaurant for several days. Happily, they took the time to pay their bills before fleeing.

The incident only added to the fears of Shuai's wife, who opposed his moving to Iraq in the first place. He now carries life insurance.

More and more Chinese workers are investigating job opportunities overseas and demand remains high, according to Wang Yuefei, the manager of a Beijing-based labor-export agency.

"But some countries and regions might limit hiring of foreign workers by applying tougher standards," Wang said.

Another factor that stands in the way of rural workers seeking jobs overseas is the fees charged by the government, intermediaries, and training courses. On average, a worker needs to shell out some $600 to an agent and $1,500 as a guarantee.

Some local governments are trying to help. The municipality of Chongqing has started providing small loans to rural workers to help them pay up-front costs.

Liu Jianzhong, chairman of the Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank, said a rural worker can get a one-year loan of $5,843 in order to work abroad.

Henan, Sichuan, and Hunan are formulating similar policies.