KUALA LUMPUR - About 50 migrant workers from Longxi County in Gansu Province recently boarded a free bus to Nanjing in Jiangsu Province under a “point-to-point” labour transfer programme.

The initiative aims to streamline workers’ return to employment after the Spring Festival holiday, as reported by China Daily.

Similar buses organised by Youzhi Recruitment Human Resources Co have been operating since February 22.

The company’s head, Xue Liaojun, said more than 400 workers had already been sent to jobs outside the province.

“Before March 8, more than 2,000 workers are expected to head to provinces including Jiangsu, Anhui, Zhejiang, Sichuan and Shandong for employment,” he said.

The trips form part of the nationwide “Spring Breeze Action” organised by local labour authorities.

The campaign is aimed at stabilising employment and protecting livelihoods during the post-holiday work resumption period.

Worker Zhang Xiaobing said the programme allowed him to take his first job outside his hometown.

He said he previously relied on unstable temporary work while supporting his child’s schooling.

“A free bus picks us up from our doorstep and takes us straight to the factory gate.

“As long as you're willing to work, your income is guaranteed,” he said.

Another worker, Shao Dongbing, said he joined after watching a recruitment livestream.

He said his job in Nanjing offers a monthly salary of up to 8,000 yuan, with free meals and accommodation.

“I hope to improve myself and provide better living conditions for my family,” he said.

Local authorities said 4,378 workers were transferred in 2025 through organised bus and rail services.

Employment support has also been strengthened in disaster-affected areas.

In Jiuzhuanggou Village in Yuzhong County, 83 households have moved into newly built resettlement homes after severe floods.

Resident Wang Jianwu said his home was badly damaged during the disaster.

“We ran to higher ground without even taking our phones,” he said.

He said he is now living in a 125-square-metre apartment and is satisfied with his current conditions.

Authorities identified 697 flood-affected residents in need of jobs and organised five special job fairs.

More than 7,600 vacancies were offered through the employment support programme.

According to Wang Cheng, 231 temporary public service posts and 50 urban public welfare jobs were created.

The temporary posts include cleaning, greening and road maintenance, with a monthly pay of 1,000 yuan.

Urban public welfare positions offer employment for up to three years with wages aligned to Gansu’s minimum wage.

Wang Jianwu said he earned 6,000 yuan by working on heating stoves at construction sites during resettlement works.

His daughter-in-law, Ren Guiling, later secured a public welfare job earning 2,130 yuan a month.

Another villager, Wang Yinghua, was also hired for a similar position after construction ended.

“The work is lighter and more flexible, and I can take care of my family,” she said.

Head of the provincial labour affairs office, Zhang Xiaodong, said Gansu is expanding rural infrastructure projects and employment workshops.

He said 2,605 rural enterprises and employment factories had been established by the end of 2025.

The province has also developed 75 labour brands, including Lanzhou beef noodle makers and Jingning apple growers.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025, Gansu transferred 26.13 million rural labourers.

The transfers generated 781.15 billion yuan in income, according to official data.

In 2025 alone, 5.153 million people were relocated for work, creating 171.61 billion yuan in labour income.

So far in 2026, nearly 1,800 job fairs have been held under the Spring Breeze Action.

More than 900,000 vacancies have been offered across the province.

Authorities said over 800 chartered buses and 150 special train services have transported more than 30,000 workers.

They added that the measures reflect Gansu’s continued efforts to stabilise employment and support rural livelihoods.