A series of preferential policies for volunteers returning from the country's western regions will be put in place, the Shanghai Committee of the Chinese Youth League said yesterday.

The new policies will be designed to help future career development, the committee said.

Returning volunteers who apply for a postgraduate program will be admitted without having to take entrance examinations. Those who are willing to stay with the university can also be recruited to work as school officials after fulfilling two years of service in under-developed western provinces or autonomous regions.

Municipal government departments as well as businesses in all sectors should give priority to volunteers during the recruitment process.

Universities are also required to design personal career plans for volunteers during their service term, officials said.

"We should spare no efforts in helping returning volunteers find a job, which is of equal importance as aiding underdeveloped regions," said Wang Anshun, the city's vice Party secretary.

(Shanghai Daily August 19, 2004)