Steel, coal firms told to assist laid-off workers

The government has urged steel and coal companies to pay compensation to their laid-off employees and help them find new jobs, according to an announcement released on Thursday by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

China began in 2015 to cut overcapacity in the steel and coal industries, and close companies operating illegally to boost competitiveness in these industries. The measure is expected to affect the jobs of about 1.8 million people, Yin Weimin, minister of human resources and social security, said previously.

Companies that have been affected by the government's measures are encouraged to create new jobs for laid-off employees and to transfer unemployed workers to businesses in need of manpower, according to a notice jointly released by the ministries of finance, human resources and social security, industry and information technology as well as the National Development and Reform Commission, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission.