Relevant government departments should be actively involved in the setting of employees' pay, says a signed article in China Youth Daily. An excerpt follows:

The labor department in Nanjing, the capital city of east China's Jiangsu Province, recently put forth a regulation that the standard wages paid by local enterprises to their employees should be confirmed by consultation with the department.

This was of great significance in raising employees' incomes, realizing joint prosperity between employers and employees, and building a harmonious society.

The regulation is expected to change the long-standing situation where employees have had no "say" in deciding their salaries, and will give them more involvement in the country's reform and development.

At the provincial labor and social security conference held in January, Vice-Governor of the eastern province Wu Ruilin lashed out at the practice of some enterprises of not increasing employees' salaries, despite a radical growth in profits. He also condemned the excuse given by some bosses that an increase in payments would affect the investment environment and make enterprises difficult to run.

Deepening reform of the system has led to waning government influence on the salary system of enterprises. To pursue maximum profits, payment to employees increases very slowly or maintains a zero or negative rise pace, while income distribution among management personnel and ordinary staff are uneven.

The labor department plays an important role in recognizing that simultaneous growth of employee income and enterprise profit rests with local government.

It is unrealistic to expect enterprise bosses to voluntarily raise income for their workers. The government needs to play a role in dealing with this problem.

(China Daily March 28, 2006)