Second-child policy brings new opportunities for household service industry

二孩政策为家政业带来新机遇

With China’s second-child policy in effect from this January, there is a soaring demand for nursery matrons and infant educators, Guangzhou Daily reported on Wednesday. The wages for such jobs in Dongguan, a city in southern China’s Guangdong province, even saw an average rise of 30 percent.

据广州日报星期三报道，随着二孩政策于1月份正式实施，月嫂、育婴师等行业需求炙手可热。在中国南方广东省的东莞市，这些工作的工资水平甚至上涨了30%。

The business potential also attracted employees of Global 500 enterprises to join the childcare industry, according to information from the talent market in Dongguan.

据东莞人才市场的数据，这个商机还吸引了世界500强企业的员工转行投身到育婴师行业。

Thanks to the second-child policy, more families will need babysitters and infant educators. Some anxious mothers even start the nanny hunt months before their newborns arrive.

由于二孩政策，更多的家庭需要保姆和育婴师。有些焦急的母亲甚至在他们的“二宝”到来之前，就提前开始找保姆了。

Huang Yong, director of the Dongguan Chitong Household Service Center, explained that many young couples choose to hire a professional to help out with the new baby since their aging parents cannot take on the strenuous work. Thus, there is great potential in the growing industry.

东莞赤通家政服务中心的主任黄勇解释说，因为家里的长辈年龄大了，无法承担繁重的工作，许多年轻的夫妇选择聘请专业人士来帮助照顾二宝，因此，在这个不断增长的行业里有着巨大的市场潜力。

Data showed that the average pay for nursery matrons is currently around 6,000 yuan per month. Some experienced workers can make up to 8,000 yuan, and for the most seasoned in the industry, even a 10,000 yuan monthly salary is not impossible.

数据显示，目前月嫂的平均工资是每月6000元左右，一些资深月嫂工资可以达到8000元，而对于最有经验的人，甚至月薪10,000元的也有可能。

After the second-child policy came into effect, these monthly salaries have increased by about 30 percent on average. Even so, there is still more demand than supply.

在二孩政策正式生效后，这些月均工资已平均上涨了30%左右，即便如此，市场仍呈供不应求趋势。

In addition, the municipal government of Dongguan offers a subsidy of up to 2,200 yuan for those who undergo infant educator training and pass an examination.

此外，东莞市政府还提供高达2200元的补贴给那些接受育婴师培训，并通过考试的人。

Naturally, the childcare training industry is also riding the baby boom tide, Huang said, adding that in addition to infant educators, some expectant parents also take childcare classes.

黄勇补充说，相应的，育儿培训行业也乘上了这股婴儿出生的浪潮。除了打算从事育婴师行业的人员，一些准父母也来参加育儿培训。

Though the salary is tempting, the requirements for the job are rigorous. Apart from patience and a caring attitude, physical health and detail orientation are also a must. One also has to be highly concentrated on the work, given its special nature.

尽管工资诱人，对这份工作的要求却是很严格的。除了有耐心，有爱心，身体得健康，还必须注意细节。由于工作性质特殊，从业者还要能高度集中精力去工作。