Wei is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of All-China Federation of Trade Unions.

He made the remark during discussions with members of the Ninth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from the social welfare circles and trade unions, who gather here attending the annual session of the top advisory body of China.

The ten-and-half-day Fifth Session of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee opened in Sunday.

Wei stressed that trade unions at all levels should act in line with the requirements of the "Three Represents" and seize the important opportunity of implementing the revised Trade Union Law, promulgated last year, to build a mechanism for adjusting labor relations and resolving the practical difficulties of the needy workers.

After hearing the speeches by the CPPCC members present, Wei said that the ultimate goal of the "Three Represents" put forward by CPC General Secretary Jiang Zemin is to continuously meet the increasing demand of the people in both material and cultural life and continuously actualize the fundamental interests of the majority of the people.

The revised Trade Union Law further defines clearly the rights, obligations and responsibilities of trade unions, providing legal basis for trade unions to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of workers.

On adjusting labor relations, Wei called on all enterprises to adopt a system of consultation on an equal footing and a collective contract system.

Currently, priority must be given to ensure a minimum standard of living and promoting the re-employment for laid-off workers, ensure the timely full-amount wage for workers, and prevent work accidents, Wei stressed.

Those who are responsible for major accidents and infringement upon worker's personal rights and benefits should be dealt with according to law, he said.

( March 5, 2002)