The phrase 'iron rice bowl' referred to the system where Chinese state-owned enterprise workers accepted very low wages in exchange for guaranteed lifetime employment and comprehensive benefits including healthcare, pensions, and housing subsidies, creating a social contract between workers and the state.
definitionpending
Speaker
James KingEvidence Quote
“working for a pittance of a wage because the tradeoff was that their health care and their pension, etc. would be taken care of”
Source
China Just Dropped Its Jobs Target for the First Time in Decades | China Decode— The Prof G Pod – Scott GallowayCreated: 8/12/2026, 6:40:15 PM
My Notes
Loading notes...