economy
Greener pasture of a shepherd’s life lures Chinese workers penned in by ‘996’ jobs
When an Inner Mongolia farmer sought two herders to tend his 3,000 sheep, he was swamped with applicants including graduates, factory labourers and white-collar workers
TL;DR
- A farmer in Inner Mongolia sought two shepherds, offering a monthly salary of 8,000 yuan with accommodation and groceries.
- The job advertisement gained significant traction on Chinese social media, attracting over 700 applicants.
- Applicants included recent university graduates, factory workers, and white-collar professionals seeking an alternative to demanding urban jobs.
- The "996" work culture (9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) is a major factor driving workers away from traditional employment.
- The farmer hired two couples with previous farm experience, prioritizing those who could handle the isolation and demanding conditions.
- China's official youth unemployment rate is notably high at 16.9%.