More than seven million migrant workers in China have returned to their hometowns after being laid off from city jobs due to the global economic slowdown.

In an effort to help them prepare for re-employment, local labor authorities have begun setting up job training courses.

Southwest China's Chengdu city says it will invest seven million yuan, or about one million US dollars, in its job training project.

But a commentary in the "China Youth Daily" casts doubt on the effect of the courses.

It says corrupt officials might make use of a training project to obtain illegal benefits, and maybe siphon off cash from the training fund.

The article refers to a labor official in southwest China's Guizhou Province who took bribes worth more than 100 thousand US dollars when he was in charge of a similar training program.

The newspaper points out that given the opportunities for corruption, the training received by migrant workers will probably be below par or not particularly relevant or practical.

The paper said the work-place is a much better platform for migrant workers to receive training.

The commentary ends with a suggestion to governments to give direct financial support to migrant workers for training at local factories, rather than setting up training schools.