Photo Essay: Jobless in a Land of 1.3 Billion

The economic crisis has been rough for everyone, but especially so for China’s migrant workers. With jobs in the cities vanishing, some are returning home to the countryside.

BY ELIZABETH ALLEN | MARCH 4, 2009

Waiting it out: The global economic downturn has pummeled China hard, with migrant workers being among the worst hit. China's government estimates that approximately 20 million migrants are now unemployed, as thousands of export-oriented companies have shut their doors. Above, a textile worker takes a break in a factory in Chongqing's Hullongba township on Feb. 18.

Photo: China Photos/Getty Images

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