THE Chinese leadership has tried to contain worker unrest by introducing an unprecedented plan for unemployment insurance and job training.
The radical measures were approved by a special meeting convened by the State Council to tackle growing labour hardship and social disorder.
Participants included senior cadres from the Labour Ministry, the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security.
The leadership was told by labour and police experts that the proportion of urban workers 'in dire straits' had grown from five per cent in 1993 to eight per cent last year.
These desperate urbanites, mostly laid-off workers or employees who have not been paid, have been responsible for sit-ins, attacks on factory directors and small-scale riots.
Government sources said the leadership decided to introduce a 'social insurance system enshrined in law and based on efforts of the entire society'.
