Yichang tackles employment challenges with seasonal workforce

Qin Yufen, a farmer from Dianjun District, is among those benefiting from this solution. While most farmers rest during the off-season, Qin stays busy sorting oranges in Zigui. This side job allows her to earn an additional 3,000 yuan (US$414) each month.

Zigui County produces oranges yearly and needs over 200,000 seasonal workers annually, particularly between March-May and November-December. Nearby farmers from Dianjun, Wufeng, and Enshi have availability after their harvest, making cross-region employment a viable solution.

Since 2023, the local department launched a labor matching platform through 199 temporary service stations in Yichang, helping over 4,000 farmers find cross-region employment each year.

A more flexible "shared labor" model has also emerged. At Huawei E-Commerce Park in Zigui, over 100 skilled workers from Wufeng and Changyang form a flexible team, adjusting to production demands.

"This mode tackles temporary labor shortages and cuts costs. During peak seasons, labor expenses drop by 15 percent, and production output rises 20 percent," said the park’s manager.
 

The Yichang government plans to improve technical training for temporary workers. An official from the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau stated, “We want to help more farmers acquire skills and achieve a stable income, which will bring vitality to the economies of mountainous regions.”

Hu Xingjun contributed to this story.