??? 上世紀五六十年代，人們心中最耀眼的明星不是影視歌星、體壇名將，而是勞模。當時的口號是“勞動最偉大、勞模最光榮”。那個年代涌現出來的王進喜、時傳祥、張秉貴等人的事跡，激勵了一代人去學技術、抓生產。

2010年年初，媒體報道我國擬立法規定外國人可獲“全國勞模”等稱號。消息一經公布，頓時激起熱烈的討論。請看報道：

Foreigners in China could be eligible for the title of "National Model Worker," one of China's highest honors, under a draft regulation that was opened to public submissions Tuesday.

—— Excerpt from Foreigners eligible for 'National Model Worker' accolade

??????? 勞模（model worker）是“勞動模范”的簡稱。在社會主義建設事業中成績卓著的勞動者，經職工民主評選，有關部門審核和政府審批后被授予這樣的榮譽稱號。中共中央、國務院授予的勞動模范為“全國勞動模范”（National Model Worker），是當前中國最高的榮譽稱號；除此之外還有“全國先進生產者”（National Advanced Producer）、“全國先進集體”（National Advanced Groups）等稱號。

2010年是五年一次的“勞模年”。3月15日，北京市總工會（Beijing municipal federation of trade unions）宣布，首次將非本市戶籍的勞動者納入評選范圍（含貢獻突出的外籍勞動者）。這意味著北京今年也許會涌現出一批農民工勞模和洋勞模。有關專家認為，北京的這一舉措是一個進步；從某種程度上來說，好像讓我們看到了戶籍制度改革（reform of household registration system）的一絲曙光。請看報道：

Beijing, the Chinese capital, is allowing expatriates to be elected as "model workers" for the first time.

"You don't have to be a Communist Party member, a Communist Youth League member or even a member of the trade union in your company." …

"We welcome everybody in Beijing, be they foreign staff or migrant workers. Even nannies with excellent records and good personalities can be nominated." …

—— Excerpt from Foreigners and migrants can be model workers