ABSTRACT
Before China started its economic reform programme in the late 1970s, city people either worked for state-owned factories or government organisations. The job was for life, and it was known as the 'iron bowl' (tie fanwan). There was almost no mobility in the job. To transfer from one organisation to another was an extremely lengthy and difficult task. During the reform years, many people resigned from their 'iron bowl' posts to embark on some other ventures ranging from setting up their own food stall to launching large scale companies. Such a daring action is described as 'going to sea' (xia hai) as the sea is wild and risky. The term danwei was used before the 1980s to refer to the organisation one worked for, be it factory, shop, school, or government department. Each work unit was responsible for its employee's housing, medical care and work after retirement.
