Country to optimize employment policies with stability in mind

China will optimize and adjust policies and measures for employment to promote development and benefit people’s livelihoods, according to a circular issued by the General Office of the State Council on April 26.

In order to stimulate vitality and expand employment capacity, policies will be intensified to support industries and enterprises that are capable of absorbing job seekers, with a package of related allowances promised.

Financial institutions are encouraged to provide services and make loans to businesses to stabilize employment and increase jobs.

Entrepreneurship will play its due role to boost employment. College graduates and migrant workers will receive support to start businesses with low investment and small risks.

In addition, vocational schools, training institutions and qualified enterprises will be encouraged to conduct vocational training required in important industries and for occupations in urgent need.

The circular also stressed the unemployment insurance refund policy will remain valid until Dec 31, 2023.

More channels will be in place to facilitate employment and entrepreneurship among college graduates and other young people.

Enterprises that hire newly graduated college students, those still seeking jobs within two years of graduation or people registered as unemployed aged from 16 to 24, and provide a contract for more than one year, will receive a one-off round of employment allowance.

Graduates are encouraged to seek employment at primary-level positions, and the volunteering plan for college students to work in China’s western regions will be maintained in 2023.

State-owned enterprises should hire more, the circular said, and enterprises, public institutions and social organizations should recruit no fewer than a million internship positions for the young.

More aid will be provided to ensure the bottom line of people’s livelihoods. Recognition standards will be determined on reasonable grounds and adjusted dynamically for people having difficulties finding jobs. Zero-job families, families living on subsistence allowance, households lifted from poverty, disabled people and others should be covered by aid projects.

The circular also stressed securing the basic living conditions of people in hard circumstances, adding social aid standards should match up with commodities’ price level and allowances must be offered in full.