Throughout this month, the country's 140 million workers are being urged to offer their help and ideas on how to save energy and reduce emissions, the national trade union said in Beijing yesterday.

Chang Yimin, director of the economic and technological department of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, emphasized the role union members across China have to play in energy conservation.

A series of events and competitions will be held throughout the month encouraging workers to put forward their designs, creations and ideas on how to save energy and protect the environment, Chang said.

In addition, some union members will be chosen to work as volunteer inspectors to monitor firms' energy-saving and emission-cutting efforts, the National Development and Reform Commission said recently.

Wang Xinwei, an official with the federation of unions, said the inspectors will report to local governments on the measures introduced by companies and their successes and failures.

Last year, the Shanghai Federation of Trade Unions said it received 661,000 suggestions on energy conservation from its members, 431,000 of which were adopted.

Also last year, the Workers' Technical Association of Anshan, Liaoning province, sent 115 volunteer technicians to visit hundreds of firms and provide tips and advice on how to save energy.

(China Daily, March 4, 2008)