The Chinese government will exert more efforts to promote full and decent employment along with the International Labor Organization, says the consensus reached at the China Employment Forum that closed in Beijing Friday.

During the three-day forum, participants from over 20 countries held heated discussions over issues concerning employment, gender, rural labor force and the building of fair labor force market.

"China will give more priority to employment in policy making," said Zheng Silin, China's labor minister at the closing ceremony of the forum.

Experts at the forum said that China's over-heated pursuit of economic growth in the past decade has caused imbalanced development, including the high unemployment rate against the fast economic growth.

The government will adjust its strategy of development to realize coordinated development of economy and employment, said the minister.

"We must make good use of the advantages of rich labor force and give a stronger drive to labor-intensive industry as well as small and medium-sized enterprises," said Zheng.

As system barriers in labor market has blocked the promotion of employment in China, the participants suggested the building of a unified and fair labor market.

More efforts should go to improve policy on labor market and build a unified labor market, says the consensus.

"The government should play a better role in exercising macro-control over the labor market and strengthening the building of a public service system," said Zheng Silin

Meanwhile, the official also urged more protection for the disadvantaged groups in the society including women, disabled and elderly people suffering the most from unemployment.

Small enterprises should have a better outer environment for further development as they could create more job opportunities, says the consensus. China's central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan also suggested at the forum the banks grant small enterprises more loans.

As most of the laid-off workers and surplus rural labor force waiting to enter the cities do not have any skills, the consensus emphasizes training of laborers.

Moreover, a wide social security system is also needed to enlarge the employment, says the consensus.

The forum, which attracted over 600 participants from over 20 countries, is the first forum of the kind in China.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2004)