Chinese Leader Visits Disadvantaged Miners

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, January 15, 2003

Chinese Leader Visits Disadvantaged Miners

Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo concluded two days of visits to disadvantaged coal miners in Shanxi province,north China on Tuesday.

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Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo concluded two days of visits to disadvantaged coal miners in Shanxi province, north China on Tuesday.

During his two-day visit, the vice-premier called on Li Mancang, a retired coal miner once honored by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions as a model worker.

Arriving at Li's home, the vice-premier shook his hand, and inquired about his health, the payment of his pension, and his family's difficulties.

Wu urged the local government officials accompanying him to take good care of Li, who has been ill for many years, noting that model workers have contributed a great deal to the development of China and their companies.

The vice-premier also visited the family of Cao Jinhua, who lost a family member in the mines a number of years ago.

During his visits, the vice-premier said the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government are deeply concerned about the difficulties faced by disadvantaged employees of State-owned companies.

He urged governments at all levels to place all such employees, along with other urban residents in need, under coverage of social security programs.

The State-owned Datong Mine was in the red for several years due to a surplus of coal on the domestic market. The miners thus underwent pay cuts, and many of them found it hard to make ends meet.

However, their fate has improved since the reform launched in October 2000, which was the result of discussions between the vice-premier, central government officials, mine authorities and local government officials.

The reform, which includes restructing, streamlining and downsizing, has helped to increase miners' incomes.

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