Asia Insight

S12E20 Struggling Elderly Migrant Workers: Xi'an, China

The Banpo Labor Market in Xi'an was historically a bustling hub for hiring workers. Today, however, the crowd primarily consists of individuals in their 50s and 60s. To reduce accidents on construction sites, several major cities have implemented rules banning the employment of those aged 60 and above. As a result, many migrant workers struggling to make a living often take unofficial jobs, leading to frequent conflicts. This episode introduces us to these laborers, once the backbone of China’s economic rise, who now find themselves marginalized and forgotten.