The proposed law encouraging the creation of more jobs, if passed, will lay a solid foundation for China's employment strategy.

Lawmakers discussed the draft law on job creation on Monday, making it very likely that it will be passed after additional legislative review.

The draft stipulates the roles and responsibilities of government departments in helping provide more job opportunities.

It also sets forth the vital principle of outlawing any form of discrimination in the job market.

China has included an employment policy in its drive to build a harmonious society. A law will help bring the strategy into reality.

In recent years, the job market has become increasingly competitive. Many local governments have put gross domestic product figures at the top of their agenda. Creation of jobs is not their No 1 priority.

Meanwhile, millions of fresh college graduates, laid-off workers from the restructured State-owned enterprises, along with migrant farmers turned city workers join the job market every year, without opportunities for employment.

Complicating the situation is widespread discrimination in hiring, causing anger among already frustrated job seekers.

Given the pressing situation, lack of a consistent strategy for developing jobs may affect social stability if large-scale unemployment occurs.

For this reason, the law will play a role larger than simply promoting employment.

Groundbreaking as it is, we should not overrate the role of the proposed law.

Based on Monday's review, the law is largely principle-setting, lacking punitive measures that can ensure the creation of more jobs.

This is a major limitation, especially in the stipulations on job discrimination.

Discrimination needs to be clearly defined and made illegal.

We hope lawmakers will make more headway in bringing job creation principles into action in the coming reviews.

(China Daily 02/28/2007 page10)