NPC Meeting Examines Trade Union Law Amendments, New Draft Laws

The Standing Committee of China' s National People's congress, the top legislative body, convened a meeting Monday in Beijing to examine six draft laws including the draft amendments to its 52-year-old law on trade unions.

The draft amendments, submitted to the 23rd meeting of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for deliberation, aimed to empower the trade union to act as a strong protector of workers' legitimate rights and interests.

"A number of articles are to be added to underline and strengthen trade unions' role in protecting workers' legitimate rights," Zhang Chunsheng, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, told the meeting Monday.

The revised version will have stipulations involving establishment of trade unions in new enterprises, protection of legitimate rights of employees and trade unions workers at enterprises, and punishment for violation of trade unions' rights, Zhang said to the lawmakers.

Draft laws previously reviewed, which are on desertification control, prevention and treatment of occupational diseases, management of maritime space utilization, and draft amendments to the criminal law, will also be further examined by the legislators.

A draft decision submitted for discussion proposes that the third Saturday of September be designated as the national day for education on national defense.

Li Boyong, vice-chairman of the NPC Law Committee, said the draft law on desertification prevention and control would play a positive role in protection of ecological environment of China once it is adopted.

The draft amendments to the criminal law emphasizes the punishment for illegal activities to destroy forest and abuse of forest, said Gu Angran, also vice-chairman of the NPC Law Committee.

During the five-day meeting, the State Council will deliver reports to lawmakers on implementation of plans of the 2001 national economic and social development, and on the work to enhance the fundamental status of agriculture and to increase incomes of farmers.

An inspection team of the NPC Standing Committee will report on the implementation of the nation's Organic Law on Villagers' Committee.

Li Peng, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over Monday's meeting.






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