Nonregular Employment in China’s Public Sector: Sociopolitical Rationales Underlying Its Demand and Supply

This study examines the sociopolitical drivers of nonregular employment (NRE) in Shanxi Province’s public sector through the detailed case analysis of county-level public organizations. I find that job seekers, especially in less-developed areas in Shanxi, are attracted to NRE positions due to the potential for an improved lifestyle and opportunities for privileges. These counties often focus on government infrastructure projects, leading to robust infrastructure but underdeveloped industrial and financial services. As a result, with limited regular employment options, job seekers gravitate towards NRE roles, which offer non-monetary benefits and social capital gains. Additionally, public organizations employ NRE as a means by which to integrate retired officials, tackle unemployment among youth, and handle top-down policy pressures with greater flexibility and minimal formal oversight, thereby indirectly safeguarding regular employees.