Foreign head-hunting firms will be allowed to do business in China
starting October 1, opening a new front for overseas business here.
The prohibition is only being lifted partly, with foreign firms
required to form joint ventures with domestic counterparts and to
have provincial licensing, top officials said yesterday in
Beijing.
The new rules are a "step by the government to adjust its personnel
policy and follow the principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO),"
said Hou Jianliang, vice-minister of personnel.
China is expected to formally join the WTO early next year.
Under the rules, the government will approve qualified domestic
companies to work with foreign ones in the personnel services
field.
The government also will intensify its supervision and
administration over the employment services market by probing
companies found to advertise false information. Unlicensed firms
could face fines of up to 30,000 yuan (US$3,600).
China's job market is big enough for more players. The ministry's
statistics show that more than 3,700 personnel services companies
operate here. They held more than 10,000 job fairs last year
participated by 480,000 organizations and visited by 12 million
people.
The industry's opening-up will benefit both domestic and foreign
head-hunting firms, experts say.
Hou said he hopes the access of overseas investors to China's
personnel sector will bring in advanced management expertise and
force domestic companies to improve their services.
"This will help China create a much better environment for
fostering professionals and other badly needed specialists,
particularly those having senior professional titles above
associate professors," said Bi Xuerong, an official of the Ministry
of Personnel.
Attracted by China's huge market potential, some overseas job
agencies have already begun carrying out business in China without
official approval. More are waiting to rush in when it is permitted
by law.
Some domestic agencies are concerned the foreign firms will run
them out of business. Among the fears is the foreign head-hunters
who are of the same nationality as foreign firm chiefs may enjoy an
advantages in landing contracts.
(China
Daily 09/20/2001)