After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, in order to develop wartime production, arouse the enthusiasm of the masses for production, safeguard the interests of workers, benefit both labor and capital and consolidate the anti-Japanese national united front, the anti-Japanese democratic government in the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Border Area promulgated a decree increasing wages for hired hands. One stipulation read: The wage of a hired hand should be fixed in the light of local living conditions; it should be enough for himself and for the minimum living expenses of an additional one or one and a half persons. When he is asked to work longer hours, his pay should be increased accordingly, and when he works on holidays, he should get additional pay in accordance with the relevant regulations.