U.N. 's Goals in China

Objective 4: "Improve access to, and opportunities for, employment"

The UN system will support the Government formulation and implementation of policies and strategies relating to employment creation in urban and rural areas and the promotion of market-oriented employment mechanisms.

China's current sharp increase in unemployment, particularly in urban areas, originates from four basic factors. Employment creation has not kept pace with the continuous increase of the labour force, as the baby boom generation of the 1960s and 70s now enter the labour market. Secondly, the large-scale structural adjustment of its economy has resulted in a decrease of employment in some previously over-employed sectors such as agriculture, heavy industries and manufacturing, while consumer goods industries, trade and services have emerged as the major channel for creating new jobs. Thirdly, as China moves toward a market-driven economy, the practice of the state retaining surplus labour in state enterprises and in agricultural collectives as a means of providing income security is disappearing, whereas the private sector has been unable to absorb all the workers laid off from the state enterprises. Finally, China's accelerated economic and investment growth has not been accompanied by comparable increase in employment as China seemingly shifts to more capital-intensive technologies. Unemployment rates are higher among adolescent girls and women who are affected by discriminatory practices in recruitment. This also influences the motivation of parents and girls to continue and value education. Since access to productive employment is crucial for overcoming poverty and meeting the challenges of rising urban unemployment and rural underemployment, macro policies are needed to foster more equitable and employment-friendly economic growth, which would benefit the poor and vulnerable groups and also contribute to social stability.

Better data for realistic policies and job training - The UN will seek partnership with multiple players, including the Government, private sector, professional societies and trade unions as employment becomes increasingly a multidisciplinary issue. The UN system will support the formulation, updating and implementation of policies and strategies relating to greater employment creation in urban and rural sectors and the promotion of market-oriented employment mechanisms including the improvement of the national employment and labour market management information system, which will provide data on employment trends coupled with proposals in training and/or re-training of job seekers in relation to demand. As mentioned above under objective 3, the UN will also pay special attention to assisting poor and vulnerable groups gain alternative income-generating opportunities through the development of vocational training systems and employment-creation. Gender equity in employment and at the work place will continue to be advocated by the UN. In this regard, the UN will promote ethical corporate citizenship in relation to inequities in the work place and the promotion of a safe and healthy environment. Quality of employment as well as a healthy environment in the work place will also be promoted.