Alarm at China's ability to absorb jobs, but Chinese development also employs Finns

(Helsinki 07.12.2003 – Juhani Artto) In the last few months China has hit the headlines in Finland as a threat to the employment of Finnish workers. This concern is not without foundation, as industrial jobs have been transferred to China and many investments that create new jobs, including those demanding higher qualifications, have favoured China over Finland. The media has dubbed this the “China phenomenon” or “new China syndrome”.

Nowadays the trend is no longer documented merely in the news, but also in broader examinations of current affairs and in efforts to analyse how Finland should respond to the China phenomenon. Business community representatives have been quick to cite the China phenomenon as a new argument in support of their familiar calls for greater labour flexibility and lower labour costs.

Read more about the China phenomenon on on Trade Union News from Finland.