In a development statistics report concerning labor and social security issues which was released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China on June 12, it's identified that significant progress has been made in the areas of labor and social security.

According to the statistics, there were 758.25 million people in China employed at the end of last year, which is 6.25 million more than the previous year. Of this population, 339.7 million were employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing and the like. The number is 44.8 percent of the total figure. More than 180 million were employed in mining, manufacturing, the production and supply of electricity, gas and water which accounts for 23.8 percent. And 237.71 million were employed in tertiary industries – entertainment, service provision and the like – which accounts for 31.4 percent.

The number of employed people in towns and cities increased by 9.7 million. And 5.1 million workers who'd been laid-off found new jobs.

The yearly average wage for staff in cities and towns was 18,364 yuan (US$2,296), which is 12.8 percent higher than the previous year. The yearly average wage for staff in state-owned units stood at 19,313 yuan (US$2,414) and 11,283 yuan (US$1,411) for those in collective units in towns and cities. The figure was 18,244 yuan (US$2,281) for staff working in other areas.

The report also introduces progress on the social insurance fund and how it's been managed.

(China.org.cn by Li Xiaohua, June 15, 2006)