Do Industrial Robots Lower Employment Quality for Manufacturing Migrant Workers in China?

Qian Kang, Zhoufu Yan and Ali Sher

Review of Development Economics, 2026, vol. 30, issue 4, 2302-2325

Abstract: China's 297.35 million migrant workers face the challenge of improving their livelihoods, maintaining social stability, and securing high‐quality employment. However, the impact of automation on the quality of their employment remains unclear, with concerns that automation may diminish employment quality for this group. This study utilizes data from the China Labor Dynamics Survey (CLDS) and applies robust statistical methods to assess the effect of industrial robots on the employment quality of migrant workers in China. The findings reveal a U‐shaped relationship between the use of industrial robots and employment quality. Initially, employment quality declines due to skill mismatches caused by automation, but this trend reverses as the labor market adjusts to technological advancements. Furthermore, the study examines sectoral and individual differences in employment quality during the era of robotization, highlighting the moderating effects of urban scale and the household registration system. To support migrant workers in transitioning to stable and rewarding employment in an automated economy, the government should prioritize skill development programs and ensure the equitable distribution of technological benefits.

Date: 2026
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