On October 25, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MoHRSS) held a press conference to discuss developments in employment policies for the third quarter of 2024. Deputy Director Chen Yongjia emphasized the collaborative efforts of various regions and departments to implement a series of policies aimed at stabilizing expectations, growth, and employment, which have yielded positive outcomes this year. From January to September, urban employment increased by 10.49 million, and the national urban unemployment rate in September stood at 5.1%. Moving forward, the MoHRSS aims to focus on high-quality, full employment, enhancing priority employment policies, stabilizing key demographics, deepening reforms, and diligently working towards achieving employment targets.
Firstly, there will be a strong emphasis on stabilizing and expanding overall employment. The ministry plans to implement initiatives that encourage high-quality employment, refine accompanying measures, and establish a robust mechanism for promoting quality jobs, ensuring that reforms in the employment sector take effect. Additionally, they will work with relevant departments to explore the employment potential across various industrial chains, foster new employment growth points, and carry out targeted programs in advanced manufacturing and the silver economy, utilizing tax relief, employment subsidies, and job retention policies to support businesses.
Secondly, enhancing vocational skills training is a priority. The ministry will focus on key areas such as the digital and green economies, implementing differentiated training subsidies, and conducting large-scale skills training campaigns. They also intend to promote a new apprenticeship system and support businesses in developing training bases, ensuring that the training provided is relevant and effective. The release of dynamic salary information for skilled workers and the establishment of minimum wage guidelines will aim to improve compensation and create a supportive environment for skill development.
Thirdly, the ministry plans to provide targeted support for key demographics. This includes initiatives aimed at recent graduates who are unemployed, with services structured around the “1131” model and a recruitment campaign for one million internship positions to stabilize youth employment levels. For rural workers, particularly those formerly in poverty, there will be efforts to prevent return to poverty through employment initiatives, including a conference on labor cooperation and brand development. Special assistance will also be focused on older individuals, people with disabilities, and those who have been unemployed for an extended period, ensuring public job opportunities are utilized to support households with no employed members.
Fourthly, optimizing employment and entrepreneurship services is essential. The ministry aims to create a high-quality public employment service system and launch a unified national service platform that reaches grassroots levels. This will include organizing job fairs and recruitment events, enhancing employment support for key enterprises, and improving the efficiency of matching job seekers with opportunities. Additionally, efforts will be made to strengthen entrepreneurship support systems, elevate the quality of startups, and create a favorable environment for new businesses.
Lastly, ensuring the protection of workers’ rights remains a key agenda item. The ministry seeks to refine social security systems for flexible workers, migrant workers, and those in new forms of employment, expanding the pilot programs for occupational injury protection. They are committed to improving mechanisms for labor relations and mediation, enhancing arbitration services, and effectively safeguarding the legal rights of workers.
