China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin on Tuesday urged his colleagues from the private sector not to lay off workers to help maintain social stability amid the global economic turmoil.

Jia, Chairman of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said this in a report delivered at the second session of the 11th CPPCC National Committee, which convened Tuesday at the Great Hall of the People in downtown Beijing.

"National Committee members from the non-public sector of the economy should be encouraged to shoulder their share of social responsibilities," according to the Report on the Work of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee.

"Advisors should try their best to refrain from laying off any employees, cutting salaries or withholding wages, so as to create a harmonious labor relationship," said Jia.

The unfolding financial crisis has resulted in mass unemployment in China. Jobless migrant workers alone exceed 20 million, not to mention millions of graduates swarming into the job market every year.

A report issued in January by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS) showed that China's urban unemployment rate rose to 4.2 percent at the end of 2008, up 0.2 percentage points year-on-year.

The real situation is more serious, as the number of migrant workers and newly graduated college students are not included in the count.

Political advisor Wang Junjin, chairman of the Shanghai-based Junyao group, said that the grim economic situation requires people to help each other and share weal and woe.

"Employers should nurture good relations with employees. They must also take up greater social responsibility," said Wang.

According to media reports, the ongoing CPPCC session and upcoming session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, will have deputies and advisors from more than 150 listed companies.

These companies account for about 10 percent of the firms listed on the yuan-denominated market. They include executives of large financial companies such as China Life Insurance (Group) Company and Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China.

Jia also urged political advisors from the ethnic minorities and religious circles to play a unique role in the drive for ethnic unity and religious harmony.

The top political advisor also expressed support for the government's handling of unrest in Tibet in March last year.

"We unequivocally supported the Party and government in dealing with the destructive, disruptive, violent and illegal incidents in Lhasa, Tibet, and other areas in accordance with the law," Jia said.

Jia's speech was echoed by members from the religious circle. Advisor Huang Xinyang, president of the Beijing Taoism Association, said that the speech reflects the heartfelt wishes of advisors from the religious circle, who support the ideal of social harmony and national unity.

"A handful of separatists who advocate 'Tibet independence' do not represent the people of the religious circle and they are doomed to failure,"said Huang.

Advisor Ma Guoquan from northwest Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region said:"The religious policy we have now is the most appropriate. Believers have the full freedom to engage in religious activities. There is no reason for making trouble."

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2009)