Age Discrimination in China's Tech Industry: The 'Curse of 35': In China's tech industry, older workers face age discrimination, being overlooked for jobs due to younger, cheaper labor, leading to intense pressure and burnout, and contributing to a lack of recognition for valuable experience.
In China's tech industry, age discrimination is a significant issue, with workers over 35 often being overlooked for jobs due to the abundance of younger, cheaper labor. This trend, referred to as the "curse of 35," is particularly concerning given the long work hours and economic sluggishness in the sector. Companies, according to a coder named Nathan, are seeking "fresh chives," or young coders and engineers, and workers may find themselves replaced or pushed out by their 30s. Despite the economic downturn and potential for less work, many are still working long hours to meet client demands or simply to keep up with the competition. This trend not only discards valuable experience but also contributes to the intense pressure and burnout within the industry.
Chinese companies prefer younger workers, leading to age discrimination: Chinese companies favor younger workers due to perceived eagerness and willingness to work long hours, leading to age discrimination in various industries
Chinese tech companies, and possibly multinationals operating in China, are pushing for long working hours and showing preference for younger workers, leading to age discrimination. This trend is particularly prevalent in the tech sector, but it's also spreading to other industries. Companies have a large labor pool to choose from, but older workers often face the challenge of having outdated skills due to the fast-evolving tech landscape. However, it's important to note that this isn't the same as the scenario in Silicon Valley years ago, where older workers were laid off due to the shift from hardware to software. Instead, age discrimination seems to be driven by a desire for workers who are perceived as more eager and willing to work long hours. This issue isn't unique to the tech sector, as factories also post job ads with age restrictions. Overall, this trend highlights the need for continuous upskilling and adaptability in the workforce, particularly in China's rapidly evolving economy.
Culture of excessive overtime work in China leads to burnout for young professionals: Young professionals in China, particularly in tech and manufacturing, face intense pressure to work long hours, leading to burnout and a need to upskill or find alternative careers before being 'aged out' of their industries
In China, particularly in industries like tech and manufacturing, there's a prevalent culture of excessive overtime work, leading to physical and mental exhaustion for employees, especially those in their 30s. The pay structure varies between sectors, with tech employees being well-paid but expected to work long hours, while factory workers earn base pay and receive extra compensation for additional work. This leads to a sense of urgency among young workers to upskill and find alternative careers before they're "aged out" of their current industries. For instance, a software engineer might consider becoming a ride-share driver, but would need a 5-year driving license to qualify. Overall, the pressure to work long hours and keep up with industry demands is leading to concerns about work-life balance and long-term career sustainability for many young professionals in China.
China's Tech Workers Feeling Undervalued and Exploring Alternative Careers: During the pandemic, China's tech workers felt undervalued and replaceable, leading some to explore alternative careers, including farming, but making the transition can be challenging.
China's tech sector has a large pool of workers who don't require advanced degrees or extensive coding experience, and these workers feel undervalued and replaceable due to the oversaturation of the labor market. During the pandemic, there were signs of resistance from the workforce, such as calls for better work conditions on GitHub, but these efforts faded away as the economy slowed down and people became grateful for having a job at all. Many tech workers are now exploring alternative careers, with some moving to farming in the Chinese countryside as part of a government initiative. However, making the transition from a tech job to farming or other industries can be challenging. Jennifer Pak, Marketplace China correspondent, has reported on this trend and provides insights into the experiences of tech workers making the switch. You can watch her video story on our website, marketplace tech.org. Jesus Alvarado produced this episode. I'm Lily Germani, and that's Marketplace Tech. This is APM.
Learn about money through engaging stories: Million Bazillion podcast educates kids on complex financial concepts using entertaining stories, expanding their financial literacy.
The Million Bazillion podcast from Marketplace is an excellent educational resource for kids to understand complex financial concepts through engaging and entertaining stories. This podcast addresses the confusing questions kids have about money, tackling topics like college accounts, unions, and even the purpose of Fort Knox and its gold. By listening to Million Bazillion, kids can gain valuable insights into how money functions in the world around them. Help your children expand their financial literacy and make learning about money an enjoyable experience. Tune in to Million Bazillion on your favorite podcast platform.
Ageism in China’s tech sector has workers fearing the “curse of 35”
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