China is going to step up efforts to further stabilize employment for key groups and improving social security, in accordance with the requirements and arrangement from the annual Central Economic Work Conference.
The conference was held in Beijing from Wednesday to Thursday as Chinese leaders decided priorities for the economic work in 2026.
It highlighted the priority to safeguard and improve people's livelihoods, which includes taking a series of measures to boost the labor market.
Experts believe that the following policy package will have positive impacts on the job market.
"For example, companies can implement subsidy policies to support job expansion, along with on-the-job training and skill upgrading for employees. These measures are designed to encourage enterprises to stabilize existing positions, create new ones, and enhance the overall quality of employment," said Wen Xiaoyi, vice president of China University of Labor Relations.
The meeting stressed the efforts to stabilize employment for key groups such as college graduates and migrant workers. Wen suggested that implementing targeted policies for key groups will enhance job matching and adaptability.
"For university graduates, more employment opportunities could be opened for them, meanwhile enhancing their employability. In terms of migrant workers, coordinated development between the eastern and western regions, as well as linkages between labor-importing and labor-exporting areas can be greatly improved," he said.
The meeting also pointed out that people in flexible employment and those in new forms of employment are encouraged to take part in employee insurance schemes.
Currently, the workforce engaged in flexible employment and emerging forms of work in China is steadily growing, covering many groups, such as ride-hailing drivers, deliverymen, individual business owners and freelancers.
Properly addressing their social security will further improve their level of social security, experts said.
"Efforts are being made to advance the inclusive development of the social security system, improve the accessibility and convenience of enrollment, and enhance long-term benefit entitlements. These measures not only reinforce workers' sense of belonging and security, but also lay a strong foundation for invigorating the labor market," said Liu Xu, director, Social Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Macroeconomic Research.
China to further stabilize employment, improve social security
China to further stabilize employment, improve social security
China to further stabilize employment, improve social security
