Chinese Migrant Workers and Employer Domination

This book explores three major changes in the circumstances of the migrant working class in south China over the past three decades, from historical and comparative perspectives. It examines the rise of a male migrant working population in the export industries, a shift in material and social lives of migrant workers, and the emergence of a new non-coercive factory regime in the industries. By conducting on-site fieldwork regarding Hong Kong-invested garment factories in south China, Hong Kong and Vietnam, alongside factory-gate surveys in China and Vietnam, this book examines how and why the circumstances of workers in these localities are dissimilar even when under the same type of factory ownership. In analyzing workers’ lives within and outside factories, and the expansion of global capitalism in East and Southeast Asia, the book contributes to research on production politics and everyday life practice, and an understanding of how global and local forces interact.

“This book is of great scholarly interest and depth. It is well organized and includes both an introduction and a concluding chapter that bind the research together with the theoretical discussions and suggested new frames. All in all, Kaxton Siu’s book must be seen as an important work and it is recommended for anybody interested in labour studies.” (Irene Nørlund, China Information, Vol. 35 (2), 2021)

“The book provides a sophisticated analysis of the work culture, lifestyles and forms of management of garment workers in Shenzhen, China, taking into account the historical pattern of development, the socio-demographic characteristics of the labour force and the dynamics of global industry. It is an excellent piece of work.” (Simon Clarke, Emeritus Professor, University of Warwick, UK) 

“This is a very well written, empirically strong, carefully integrated and clearly presented book that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. It presents novel empirical developments and an original interpretation of the position of workers inside the Chinese (and Vietnamese) garment industries. Anyone interested in understanding work and employment in China today should read this book.” (Chris Smith, Professor, Royal Holloway University of London, UK)

“Thirty some years since China’s integration with the global economy, this study provides a very knowledgeable perspective on the emergence of a new working class.  Kaxton Siu’s interesting ethnography illuminates major changes in migrant factory workers’ everyday work and life experiences, and he analyses this in light of alternative paths taken by workers he has interviewed in Vietnam and Hong Kong. The book marks a new stage in research and conceptualization about China’s new workforce in face of a shifting managerial regime.” (Anita Chan, Professor, Australian National University, Australia, and editor of The China Journal)

“This insightful, highly readable book is based on extensive research among factory workers in China, Hong Kong and Vietnam. To gain deeper understanding, Kaxton Siu even lived together for half a year with several Chinese migrant factory workers. The fascinating descriptions of work, daily life and attitudes are bolstered by Siu’s illuminating analytical comparisons of factory life, managerial modes of control, and workers’ agency in the three regions.” (Jonathan Unger, Professor, Australian National University, Australia)

Kaxton Siu is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Applied Social Sciences, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong. He researches on labor and migration in China, Vietnam, Japan and Hong Kong. He has published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Politics and Society, China Journal, Youth and Society, and British Journal of Social Work.