For the first time, Wang Dezhun worries that his guarantee of a lifetime job in a state-run electronics factory may expire before he does.
"All jobs used to be guaranteed forever," said Wang, a plump man of 40, "But because nothing is safe anymore, I need to look for new opportunities, just in case."This job-hunting mentality is the latest byproduct of China's transition from a rigidly planned economy to one adapted to the market.
After two generations in which the government chose their careers and assigned their jobs, the Chinese are realizing they can, and may have to, look for work on their own.
Under the old "iron rice bowl" system, many were given lifetime jobs that did not depend on performance. That ensured full employment, but also meant people had no incentive to do their jobs well.
Now, China is telling state-owned businesses they can no longer count on government bailouts and will have to survive on their own, even if that means laying off surplus or incompetent workers.
So far, relatively few people have been laid off - about 1 million in an urban work force of 140 million - and new jobs have been found for 90 percent. Economists say state companies need to dismiss millions more, however, and the government will be hard put to find new work for all of them.
"Being fired, picking jobs, having choices, jumping into the labor market: These are all new concepts that people must accept," said Wang Zhicheng, a section chief at the Beijing Labor Bureau. "It's time to break the iron rice bowl."
Some local officials are experimenting with unemployment insurance plans. Many cities have organized labor markets or job fairs so job seekers can check the work available and talk with company representatives.
In Beijing, the number of people visiting the 32 labor markets increased from 30,000 in 1987 to 150,000 last year.