Inspection tour addresses wage issue of migrants

The State Council carried out inspection tours to supervise local governments’ work in addressing the issue of wages owed to migrant workers.

The inspections focus on the issue of wage payments in the construction sector, especially in government-invested projects, and investigate and punish illegal acts of withholding wages.

Details: Inspection tour to address wage issue of migrants

Plan to prevent chronic diseases

The State Council released a medium- to long-term plan (2017-2025) on the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.

By 2020, premature death in 30- to 70-year-olds caused by chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes would be reduced 10 percent compared with 2015, and 20 percent by 2025, according to the plan.

Details: State Council issues plan to prevent chronic diseases

Streamline approvals for elderly care institutions

Chinese authorities will streamline the approval process for elderly care institutions to address challenges brought by the aging population.

The move is aimed at mobilizing private funds to engage in elderly care services and reduce the cost of joining the sector, according to a circular jointly released by 13 departments, including the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Public Security.

Details: China to streamline approvals for elderly care institutions

Easier access to hukou registration

The Ministry of Public Security announced more efforts to ease access for students and migrant workers to hukou registration in most cities during a video conference held on Feb 9.

Apart from a few megacities, most cities should continue to lower thresholds of hukou registration for graduates from colleges, vocational schools and overseas universities, technicians, and migrant workers, according to the ministry.

Medical workers’ salary to be improved

Chinese authorities will launch a pilot salary and reward system in some public hospitals in an effort to improve salaries of medical workers.

Pilot hospitals should take measures to optimize the salary and merit pay system, and promote annual salaries for major leaders. Also, they will be given more autonomy to manage employees’ salary payouts, according to a document co-issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and three other ministries.

Regulation for online food delivery services puts safety first

The China Food and Drug Administration released a draft regulation on online food services for public opinion.

It proposes that any food delivery business providing an online service should also have a physical outlet and a food business license.

Details: Draft regulation for online food delivery services puts safety first