China’s future rests on 200m precarious workers

The group makes up what is called the “gig economy”. Its members do not have formal contracts, and yet they have become a crucial part of China’s labour supply, accounting for a quarter of the total workforce and two-fifths of it in cities. Although some of the group have moved from formal jobs to informal ones as they have aged, many are young, unattached men with dim economic prospects. Their progress, or lack of it, will set the terms for China’s future. 

https://archive.ph/h20wZ#selection-1259.0-1259.122

The work ethic in China isn't what it used to be.