More than 300 sub-districts in Beijing will build up federations of trade unions in the second half of 2010, in the latest expansion of the unionized workforce.

The first new federation of the rollout was formed on July 30 in Chunshu sub-district in Xicheng district.

Employees in privately-owned enterprises in Chunshu sub-district, including shop assistants and vendors, will be brought into the trade union system.

"There are 84 trade unions in the sub-district that have more than 4,300 members but all the trade unions are in large enterprises, such as Wal-Mart and Sogo," said Qin Yinghua, president of the Federation of Trade Unions in Chunshu sub-district.

About 240 small and privately-owned enterprises in the area still do not have trade unions, which means more than 3,000 employees in enterprises in that sub-district are not yet members of trade unions. The federation will help them organize, Qin added.

According to the Beijing Municipal Federation of Trade Unions, which announced it would be expanding trade unions in sub-districts on July 27, the exercise is one of its important responsibilities.

The federation said the expansion is necessary because privately-owned enterprises are increasing in number.

"The federations of trade unions in sub-districts need to promote trade unions in those areas and ensure trade unions cover all enterprises," said Han Zirong, deputy president of the Beijing Municipal Federation of Trade Unions.

Enterprises with more than 25 employees can accommodate trade unions of their own but those with fewer than 25 employees will need to work with established branches.

Han said federations of trade unions in sub-districts would be able to help employees protect their rights and undertake collective bargaining.

"Employees can appeal to the federations in sub-districts when their rights are violated," said Han.

However, some employees in Chunshu sub-district were still unfamiliar with the work of unions and what union membership means for them.

"I have not heard about it yet," said a man surnamed Li who works at a food market in Chunshu sub-district.

"Maybe, it is a good thing that we will have an organization."

Li said there are more than 30 vendors at the market and no one had thought about setting up a trade union before.

A young woman working in a hair salon with 10 employees in the area said she was not interested in trade unions.

"I do not know what a trade union can do for me," she said. "Maybe, you can ask my boss."