China launched a special campaignto clean up the labor market, which investigated 9,977 fraud cases,closed 3,440 illicit job agencies and ordered 1.7 million yuan (205,562 US dollars) in refunds and compensation from Feb. 1 to March 15 this year.

The campaign was launched by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MLSS), Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Personnel and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

Hu Xiaoyi, MLSS' spokesman, said Thursday at a press conferencethat offenses in the employment service sector had been curbed effectively.

In addition to the crackdown campaign, MLSS will show further concern about workers laid off from state-owned enterprises due to reforms or bankruptcy.

"The ministry will also prompt more workers to sign contracts with their employers and enhance its supervision over the enforcement of contracts to protect the interests and rights of laborers," Hu said.

The ministry also pledged to punish any company that delays or cuts payment due to workers, especially the migrant rural workers,Hu said.

Source: Xinhua