China’s push for job creation takes centre stage after policy barrage with 24-point plan

China’s juggernaut continued on Wednesday as the State Council vowed to prioritise job creation and prevent the risk of large-scale unemployment as “a bottom line” with a 24-point set of guidelines.

The country’s cabinet placed employment as a top priority for economic and social development, pledging coordinated endeavours among fiscal, monetary, industrial, price and employment polices as it stepped up efforts to reverse weakening economic momentum and meet its full-year growth target.

The guidelines offered a comprehensive package of measures, ranging from job creation by different sectors to better income distribution, as well as increased protection for gig workers.

State-owned enterprises were also urged to fulfil their social responsibilities by leading efforts to absorb the workforce.

Additionally, they pledged priority support, including land allocation, for market players that create more jobs.

“We will strengthen macro-guidance on wage and income distribution within enterprises,” the document said, pledging to also promote reasonable increases in salaries.