With positive changes to the unemployment benefit, old-age pension
and medicare, southwest
has rapidly improved its social security
system.
Last year, 738 workers were laid off in Tibet and regional
re-employment service centers allocated 3.1 million yuan
(US$373,000) toward a minimum lifetime guaranteed stipend for the
unemployed.
So
far 514 enterprises and institutions serving the needs of 20,000
people in the region have joined the unemployment insurance
program.
Statistics show that at the end of 2001, Tibet had collected 18. 6
million yuan (US$2.2 million) in unemployment compensation, 6.4
percent of which has already been paid out.
In
addition, the local government has offered 30 different training
courses to more than 1,200 people, including the employed as well
as the unemployed.
Increasing contributions to endowment insurance schemes has enabled
elderly Tibetans to have the advantage of better services.
Last year, 287 million yuan (US$34.6 million) was allocated for
retirement pensions. There are now 70,000 retired people as well as
employees participating in the basic retirement security
program.
A
comprehensive medical care network has been formed to cover most of
Tibet's autonomous townships.
Statistics show that Tibet has 1,237 institutions engaged in
medical and health work with over 6,000 beds available and about 9,
000 professional medical staff.
According to statistics, more than 40,000 people have signed up for
basic medicare.
(China
Daily February 16, 2002)