Share onus to resettle laid-off workers

Minister of Human Resources and Social Security Yin Weimin said recently that the central government would spend 100 billion yuan ($15.3 billion) in the next two years to help resettle 1.8 million laid-off workers in coal, steel and other sectors that suffer from overcapacity. This shows the central authorities' determination to reduce overcapacity as well as resettle laid-off workers.

But the resettlement of laid-off workers should not depend only on the central government's 100 billion yuan allocation. Enterprises have to play the principal role in the resettlement, and local governments should plan and coordinate the entire process.

Four essential arrangements have to be made for the resettlement of laid-off workers in industries with overcapacity: internal arrangements in enterprises, job transfer and start-ups, early retirement schemes, and creation of public welfare posts. The parties involved in the process should shoulder their responsibilities according to the demands of the arrangement plans, and the resettlement fund should be channeled to the laid-off workers no matter which plan they choose.