‘They Don’t Need People’: The Workers Left Behind by China’s Robot Drive
In Kunshan, a region made rich by electronics manufacturing, out-of-work factory workers now have only a park as a place to go, highlighting the human cost of automation.
Kunshan, a region in China that prospered through electronics manufacturing, is now grappling with the consequences of rapid automation. Many factory workers have lost their jobs to robots and now have limited options. The only place they have to spend their days is a park — a stark contrast to the wealth the region once generated. These workers, once integral to the local economy, now find themselves idle, with little hope of reemployment in their field. Robots and artificial intelligence are taking over tasks that were once done by humans, leaving a growing number of people without work. In Kunshan, the park has become a gathering spot for the unemployed, where they share stories about their past jobs and worry about the future. The situation underscores a broader trend across China, where automation is transforming manufacturing but also creating social challenges. Workers who dedicated years to the industry now feel abandoned, as the robot drive prioritizes efficiency over human labor. The park, once a place for leisure, now serves as a reminder of their displacement.
