Like many her age, 19-year-old Zhao Caixia left her hometown in the Chinese province of Gansu to see the world. That world now revolves around a Samsung factory in the Chinese city of Tianjin, where she spends eight to 12 hours a day inspecting cameras before they’re shipped out.
“It’s pretty tiring,” she explained, having to test the functions of each camera that comes her way. “The pressure can be big sometimes.” But despite the stress, Zhao’s job at the factory is a good one, she said. Air conditioning in the dorms, clean facilities and what she considers high pay are some of the biggest perks.
“I don’t want to change my job; I think it’s pretty good,” said Zhao, who can earn between 2,000 and 4,000 yuan (US$315 to $630) a month depending on how much overtime she does. “I feel the salary is enough. I don’t spend that much.”