Managing labour shortages
In 2010, China was facing acute labour shortages. We commissioned BSR (Business for Social Responsibility) to investigate the root causes of the labour shortage. Their report highlighted diverse issues such as China’s emerging middle class, labour migration patterns, and new government policies, all of which were changing the face and shape of labour.
BSR’s expertise provided some vital guidance on how suppliers and factories could mitigate these root causes by improving worker recruitment and retention, and strengthening loyalty and morale, to make better, more sustainable, workplaces.
We’re now working with our suppliers to further promote these recommended good workplace practices, which include:
• Human resource planning
• Looking at new methods of recruitment, and using government-based resources
• Placing a higher priority on worker training, career development, and retaining skills and talent
• Higher wages and incentives
• Creating and fostering a good corporate culture to retain workers
• Better systems of management and communication
• Reducing the reliance on migrant labour through technology, or by relocating to sources of available labour.
The report was published in September 2010 and distributed to BSR members and made publicly available. Click here to read the report in detail