President Hu Jintao said yesterday greater effort was needed to set up trade union branches in non-State enterprises and to protect migrant workers' legitimate rights and interests.

Hu was speaking at a meeting in Beijing with the newly elected leaders of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and some of the representatives who attended the federation's 14th national congress in the capital last week.

He stressed no harm to the legitimate rights and interests of employees would be allowed.

Problems such as employees' pay being embezzled, the prolongation of working hours, the disregard of workplace safety, and the infringement of employees' personal rights should be rectified with a firm hand, he said. Those responsible should be severely punished, he said.

(China Daily September 29, 2003)