The Deep-seated Logic of Labor Market Segmentation: Structural Contradictions and Institutional Roots

This article centers on the segmentation phenomenon within China's labor market and conducts an in-depth exploration of its underlying rationale. Through an examination of the key tenets of labor market segmentation theory and an integration of the present-day state of China's labor market, this study unveils the manifestations of structural contradictions. These include the simultaneous existence of a dearth of skilled workers alongside an oversupply of low-skilled labor, as well as impediments to labor mobility between urban and rural regions. Moreover, it delves further into the institutional underpinnings, encompassing the influence of the household registration system, the education system, the social security system, and other factors on labor market segmentation. Ultimately, this paper puts forward strategies to overcome labor market segmentation, with the goal of fostering fair competition and efficient resource allocation in the labor market, thereby propelling the sustainable development of the economy and society.