Officials have not agreed to allow domestic helpers from the Philippines to work on the mainland, contradicting earlier reports, it emerged yesterday.
Yu Fuming, director-general of the Department of Training and Employment under the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, was quoted by the China Daily newspaper as saying the issue was not on the nation's agenda.
The denial follows reports that 20 maids from the Philippines would start work in Shenzhen after Lunar New Year.
But Mr Yu was quoted as saying: 'We have never agreed to introduce Philippine maids to work on the mainland.
'The job market now is so tight and we have to create more job opportunities for domestic workers.'
Although the nation's official urban unemployment stands at about 4 per cent, most economists say the real jobless rate is closer to 10 per cent in cities.