A Chinese trade union official says China has established over 1.6 million trade unions at the grass-roots level as of the end of June 2002.

He says that the trade unions have played an important role in promoting democratic management inside many businesses and help safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of employees.

He points out the trade unions have also helped in improving the country's social security system and promoting re-employment.

The official says trade unions helped nearly three million laid-off workers find new jobs in the past five years and have launched training courses to help improve job skills for over three million laid-off workers.

(CRI May 12, 2004)