Employers head to rail stations to find workers

A shortage of workers during the Spring Festival has driven many employers to recruit staff from incoming migrant workers at the city's two railway stations.

Although the on-site recruitment is completely legal, labor officials reminded migrant job seekers, especially new comers to the city, to be wary of fly-by-night employment agencies.

At the southern square of Shanghai Railway Station, a couple of signboards bearing the word "recruitment" were put up among crowds of travelers.

Recruiters kept intercepting migrant workers walking out of the arrival exit and asking whether they were willing to work in their factories or restaurants.

"Do you want to work for my garment factory? We can provide free accommodation plus a monthly salary of 800 yuan (US$100)," said one of the 50-something recruiters working in the area.

He said that most migrant workers in his factory went home for the Spring Festival and hadn't returned yet. Some workers even quit their job to stay longer with their family members.

"But the deadline for my pending orders is approaching," he said. "I have to find at least 10 temporary workers to complete the order as soon as possible."

After three full days trying to recruit workers, he only signed up three people.

"I do want a job, but I need to have a good rest to adjust myself after a more than 10-hour train journey, " said an Anhui-Province native surnamed Liu.

Migrant workers should watch out to protect their labor rights, said Zhuang Yabiao, vice director of the Shanghai Labor Inspection Team.

"It's OK for employers to choose either on-site recruitment or hiring an agent to find staff. But job seekers should turn to licensed placement centers," Zhuang said.

Some swindlers promise to find jobs for migrants in return for a cash deposit, and then simply disappear.

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