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China’s trade union meet opens

— Photo: Xinhua

Highlighting workers’ rights: Chinese President Hu Jintao, chairman of Chinese National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Jia Qinglin and other delegates at the opening session of the 15th national congress of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) in Beijing on Friday.

BEIJING: The All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) opened its 15th national congress meeting here on Friday. Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the meeting with more than 1,600 representatives from across the country.

Vice-President Xi Jinping delivered a speech on behalf of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. He urged the working class to become the main force in achieving new victories in building a well-off society in an all-round way. The meeting would conclude on Tuesday.

Mr. Xi called on trade unions to earnestly safeguard legitimate rights and interests of employees, better voice their opinions and coordinate labour relations.

According to the Trade Union Law, trade unions are mass organisations formed by working people of their own free will and all shall represent the interests of the employees and protect their legitimate rights and interests.

If labour disputes occur, trade unions shall represent employees to negotiate with employers, state employees’ opinions and propose solutions, the law states.

Mr. Xi also urged the trade unions at all levels to play an active role in the reform, development and social stability, serve employees wholeheartedly and give them better technical and vocational training.

He called on trade unions to promote dialogue and cooperation with trade union organisations in the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions to maintain the long-term prosperity and stability there.

Mr. Xi requested trade unions to promote dialogue and cooperation with those in Taiwan to promote peace and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait.

“China’s trade unions should unswervingly stick to the development road of building trade unions with Chinese characteristics.”

Wang Zhaoguo, chairman of the ACFTU, in his work report, said in the past three decades since China initiated the reform and opening up policy, trade unions were dedicated to reform and innovation and protecting employee’s interests.

China has the largest number of trade union members in the world, with membership increasing from 123 million in 2003 to 209 million this year.

Mr. Wang, also the vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, said against the new background of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, the trade unions shouldered the responsibility of turning themselves into mass organisations of uniting employees, igniting their creativity, organising employees to enjoy democratic rights and promoting social harmony. — Xinhua

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