ABSTRACT
The Chinese reforms have created a new situation in the Chinese labour ‘market.’ They are fundamental and change the ramifications of people’s lives. They are most conspicuous in the Chinese villages, where rural enterprises have reshaped both the economy and the social structures. The cities have experienced the evolution of private, semi-private and non-planned enterprises. The labour structure in state-owned enterprises has been the target of reforms, until recently with little result, but at present with great impact. The civil service system is being slimmed down, and its fundamental structures are in the process of change. Privatization of state-owned enterprises makes great strides. Control mechanisms and social safety nets are gradually being replaced with a higher degree of ‘market’ regulation. These changes, which affect hundreds of millions of people, take place gradually, and-considering their scale-in a relatively orderly fashion.
