China slump 'has cost 20 million jobs'

An estimated 20 million Chinese workers have lost their jobs because of the global economic crisis.

Chen Xiwen, director of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, said today that slightly more than 15% of the 130 million rural migrant workers in China have lost their jobs and returned to their home provinces.

Mr Chen said that in recent years five million to six million new migrants have been entering the work force annually.

China’s economy has plunged in recent months as a sharp decline in demand for Chinese goods globally has forced thousands of factories to close.

Many factory workers have already taken to the streets demanding pay and protesting layoffs.