This paper puts forward three arguments regarding the nature and consequences of
China’s rising labor unrest. Firstly, China’s rapid economic growth in the reform era was made
possible by a large reserve army of labor, consisting mainly of semi-proletarianized migrant
workers from the countryside. Secondly, the deepening proletarianization of and discrimination
against migrant workers in recent years has led to a significant increase in labor movements.
Finally, rising labor unrest has resulted in significant wage increases, the relative formalization
of labor, and a significant decline in profitability.Publisher's Versio
