In general, the employment situation in Beijing is stable with no major increases in the numbers of unemployed, according to a local teleconference on promoting employment work.

However, the outbreak of the contagious disease has led to the loss of 20,000 jobs in Beijing due to its impact on the service industries, said the meeting.

To cope with the situation, Beijing will implement all 11 measures by the end of June, including reemployment measures, the establishment of a reemployment fund, tax and fee reductions or exemptions and increases in social subsidies.

During the period from mid-April to late May, local labor and social service units helped re-employ 5,416 persons in jobs involving disinfection, quarantine and public security services.

(Xinhua News Agency June 5, 2003)