Migrant worker Liu Zejiang was all smiles last week as he
counted his long-overdue salary.
The local branch of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) helped the
35-year-old from southwest China's Guizhou
Province to collect his 2,000 yuan (US$240).
"We feel at home in the federation since it has helped migrant
workers get their money," Liu said.
Since the branch was established four months ago, around 5,000
migrant workers have joined.
The federation in Guizhou Province is one among many across the
country that are helping migrants who have gone to the cities
seeking a better life, according to Gu Changsheng, an ACFTU
publicity official.
Trade union organizations at various levels have set up hotlines
since October of last year to help workers voice their complaints.
By the end of December, more than 60,000 complaints from workers
nationwide had been received.
"All the problems they complained of have been resolved
properly," Dong Li, director of the ACFTU's Financial Auditing
Committee, said at Wednesday's press conference in Beijing.
Besides safeguarding workers' rights and interests, the
federation also helps laid-off workers find new jobs.
The federation now operates 1,763 aid centers across the country
to offer needy workers job opportunities, legal services and policy
consultations. The ACFTU is assisting the government in supervising
the implementation of its regulations on payments of salaries.
Another priority for the federation is to provide small,
low-interest loans to laid-off workers to start small private
businesses.
Looking ahead, priority will be given to providing training to
those who are not competitive in the job market owing to age and
lack of skills. The ACFTU, together with the International Labor
Organization and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, plans
to train 50,000 laid-off workers in the next three years.
Ahead of the Lunar New Year -- China's big Spring
Festival holiday -- coming up on February 9, 15 ACFTU official
teams have been sent to cities and towns to give those in need cash
and essentials. A total of 35 million yuan (US$4.2 million) in cash
and materials has been budgeted for this year's holiday
assistance.
(China Daily January 6, 2005)