A latest survey conducted by China's top legislature finds that employees' rights have been better protected after the Law on Labor Contract came into effect at the beginning of this year.

CRI's Zheng Chenguang has more.

Hua Jianmin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, says the number of labor contracts signed so far this year has witnessed a remarkable rise.
 
But he points out that the implementation of the law has met new problems since October, when China began to feel the pinch of the global financial crisis.

In response, the legislator urges the government to coordinate the interests of employers and employees as a way to solve emerging problems.

"The more difficulties we face, the more we should do to increase people's welfare. The government should also pay attention to the development of enterprises. We should do what we can to safeguard the stability and harmony of society."

To this end, Hua Jianmin says the government has taken all necessary measures.

The central government decided to allow companies with financial difficulties to delay payment of social security funds for up to six months.

Local governments are now allowed to use unemployment insurance funds to subsidize jobs at struggling companies for a maximum of six months, given the companies promise not to lay off workers.

Meanwhile,local labor authorities have set up various training projects to facilitate the re-employment of returned migrant workers laid off from urban enterprises.

Zheng Chenguang, CRI News.