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| Wu Bangguo (1st L), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), addresses the opening ceremony of an international forum on economic globalization and trade unions in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2011. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) |
Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo vowed Wednesday to better protect the legitimate rights and interests of workers and improve their living and working conditions during the process of the country's economic development.
"Changes in China's economic growth pattern will create a profound social transition and are therefore closely related to the interests of workers," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body.
He made the remarks while addressing the opening ceremony of an international forum on economic globalization and trade unions.
The top legislator called on workers to take an active part in China's economic restructuring process, promising that workers' rights to democratic voting, decision-making, managing and auditing will be strictly protected.
Wu suggested creating more educational programs and technologically innovative projects in order to improve the competence and skills of China's workers, as well as improve the quality of China's human resources in general.
Wu noted that effective protection for workers' rights will help increase the speed of China's economic reconstructing process. He proposed increasing efforts to improve labor law enforcement, create more employment and boost wages as well as optimize health care and pension plans.
The Chinese government highly values the role played by trade unions and supports their efforts to protect workers and improve their working conditions, Wu said, expressing his hope that trade unions of all the world's countries can work together to expand mutual respect and strengthen friendship and cooperation.
Leaders of 145 trade unions from 89 countries attended the forum.