By the end of last year China's urban and rural employees totaled 752 million increasing by 7.68 million over the previous year. Urban employees reached 264.76 million. Average wage for employees working in urban areas was 16,024 yuan increasing by 14.1 percent over the previous year and 10.5 percent in real term. The above are indicated in the Labor and Social Security Development Report 2004 released by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and National Bureau of Statistics.

The Report shows that average wage for employees working at state-owned units was 16,729 yuan. The figure for those working at urban collectively-owned units and other units was 9,814 yuan and 16,259 yuan respectively. Thirty provinces, autonomous regions and cities directly under the central government have established wage guidance line system. One hundred and forty large and medium-sized cities have released guidance prices for wages in the labor market, and 290,000 enterprises have established wage consultation system.

Among the urban and rural employees those working in the primary industry (agriculture) reached 352.69 million accounting for 46.9 percent. Those in the secondary industry (manufacturing) reached 169.2 million accounting for 22.5 percent. Those in the tertiary industry (service) reached 230.11 million representing 30.6 percent. Urban employees reached 264.76 million, of which those working in units were 110.99 million. Employees working in urban private businesses and self-employed businesses were 55.15 million, increasing by 1.29 million and 5.93 million respectively over the end of the previous year.

By People's Daily Online