In a development statistics report concerning labor and social
security issues which was released by the National Bureau of
Statistics of China on June 12, it's identified that significant
progress has been made in the areas of labor and social
security.
According to the statistics, there were 758.25 million people in
China employed at the end of last year, which is 6.25 million more
than the previous year. Of this population, 339.7 million were
employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and the like. The number
is 44.8 percent of the total figure. More than 180 million were
employed in mining, manufacturing, the production and supply of
electricity, gas and water which accounts for 23.8 percent. And
237.71 million were employed in tertiary industries –
entertainment, service provision and the like – which accounts for
31.4 percent.
The number of employed people in towns and cities increased by
9.7 million. And 5.1 million workers who'd been laid-off found new
jobs.
The yearly average wage for staff in cities and towns was 18,364
yuan (US$2,296), which is 12.8 percent higher than the previous
year. The yearly average wage for staff in state-owned units stood
at 19,313 yuan (US$2,414) and 11,283 yuan (US$1,411) for those in
collective units in towns and cities. The figure was 18,244 yuan
(US$2,281) for staff working in other areas.
The report also introduces progress on the social insurance fund
and how it's been managed.
(China.org.cn by Li Xiaohua, June 15, 2006)