A merchant shows a banner written business booming at her shop in the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, East China s Zhejiang province, Feb 18, 2020. [Photo/Xinhua]
In response to the impact on economic and social development brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Zhejiang province s Yiwu－sometimes referred to as the world s factory －took numerous measures to help local companies weather uncertainties while keeping employment stable.
On Feb 16, shortly after the Spring Festival holiday, Yiwu released several new policies to help companies recruit employees and encourage existing employees to return to work. Incentives were provided to companies that sent chartered buses to ferry employees back to Yiwu. Individuals who went back to work by themselves also received financial incentives.