Premier Li Keqiang gave an instruction to a teleconference on coordinating efforts to prevent and control the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic and stabilize the job market in Beijing on March 20.
The COVID-19 outbreak has put great pressure on stabilizing this year’s employment, which involves people’s basic livelihoods, economic growth and social stability, Premier Li said.
In ensuring epidemic response and social-economic development simultaneously, as required by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, government departments in all regions should prioritize stable employment and the job-first policy, he said.
Micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises should get backing through tax and fee cuts, financial support and other policies to resume their business activities, according to the instruction.
Major investment projects should kick off or restart at a faster pace to retain or provide jobs, he added.
The Premier demanded more emphasis be put on key groups by offering college and university graduates targeted job-seeking services and helping migrant workers and those with financial difficulties find jobs.
Support measures should also be in place, including giving occupational skill training, assisting people with trouble getting hired or from regions hard hit by the epidemic, and guaranteeing basic living necessities for the unemployed.
To attain the whole year’s job creation target, the Premier said, local governments should continue to reform their functions, push forward the mass entrepreneurship and innovation initiative and vigorously energize the strategies of Internet Plus and platform economy.
Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua also attended the meeting and gave a speech. He called for all-out efforts to ensure stable employment amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Employment is vital to people’s livelihood and a stable society. Facing tough situations, all regions and related departments must make stable employment a top priority and try to reduce the negative influence brought by the epidemic to the minimum, Hu said.
Unreasonable rules hindering work and production resumption must be cancelled as soon as possible to encourage more enterprises to resume normal production. The guidance on self-protection for workers must be enhanced, and the policies alleviating burdens on enterprises must be implemented effectively, Hu said.
Hu also called for more support for migrant workers and university graduates. Employment of impoverished rural workers must be ensured first, and more convenience should be given to them to help them work and start businesses in places near their hometowns. More job vacancies and internship projects should be opened for university graduates while optimizing employment services. University graduates are encouraged to start their own businesses. Hu also stressed the significance of the unemployment insurance fund.
Supporting policies must be issued on time to help efficiently implement the policies above, thus stabilizing employment in an all-around way, he said.
