Sharing for Support

Yang Nan, who was a KTV operation manager in Hangzhou, east China, has recently gained a new identity. With the company closing temporarily since the novel coronavirus outbreak, he has become a temporary worker at a local Hema Fresh, Alibaba’s New Retail grocery chain, in what has become a new trend: worker sharing among companies to offset both the layoffs and labor shortages caused by disruptions in the market.

“Before working in Hema, I was at home for almost 20 days from January 25 doing nothing,” Yang told . “Temping helps cover my living costs and has greatly relieved my anxiety.” With the help of the experienced staff at the store, Yang has become increasingly at home in his new job.