"Apart from the emphasis on protecting workers' rights, the law guarantees unions powerful law enforcement rights," said Dong Li with ACFTU's Law Department.

The law stipulates that trade unions can be widely involved in the operation and management of enterprises and organizations in China without interference from any organization or person, Dong said.

"The law has given trade unions a powerful say in workplace safety, workers' pay, social security and management strategies," Dong said.

Dong said any enterprise should seriously deal with suggestions from trade unions on the above issues and follow up with written reports after the management side has discussed the proposals.

According to Dong, unions in enterprises and organizations with more than 200 members should elect one full-time chairperson.

"During the term of a union chairperson, vice-chairperson and member of the committee of the worker representative conference, the enterprise has no right to stop their labor contract," Dong said. "If their term of labor contract ends but they are working for trade unions, then their labor contract will continue."

Legislators of the National People's Congress said the law is important because it stipulates unions' legal function and status.

"The Chinese should not only know they are entitled to help if their rights have been encroached, but also they should know the legal rights of trade unions and their organizers," Dong said.

A publicity campaign should be launched across the nation to inform everybody of the trade union's position, Dong said.

(China Daily November 5, 2001)