In China’s Northeast, a Daily Jostle for Jobs Produces Mostly Despair

[Baobab]

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/03/world/asia/northeast-china-economy-jobs.html

"SHENYANG, China — Not long past the break of dawn, after downing a bowl of hot porridge and dropping off his son at school, Zhang Yuzeng made his way to a street corner near the Nanyun River. There, under the poplar trees, he rummaged through his toolbox.

Pliers, check. Club hammer, check. Cigarettes, check.

Mr. Zhang hung a sign on his scooter — “Electrician, carpenter, plumber” — and pumped a techno mix through his headphones. Then he waited.

“There is no other way,” he said. “If you don’t show up, you won’t be able to make a penny.”

[fasttense]

1. Coming to a street corner near you. N/T