China to raise civil servant pay

目前，收入分配制度改革引起了社会各界的极大关注，而党中央决定给公务员加薪的方案更是各方关注的焦点。本次工薪改革的重点是“扩中”和“保底”，意在缓解地区之间和部分社会成员收入差距扩大的趋势。除了完善事业单位工作人员收入分配制度外，本次薪资改革将适当提高企业离退休人员基本养老金标准、各类优抚对象抚恤补助标准以及城市低保对象的补助水平。

China plans to raise the salaries of civil servants and employees of public institutions as the government begins to reform the country's income distribution system to narrow the gap between rich and poor.  A total of 34.7 billion yuan (US$4.3 billion) will be spent this year on salary increases for 120 million people, including six million Central and local government officials, 30 million employees of public institutions, and 50 million retired military servicemen and government employees. In addition, the stipend standards for 30 million disabled military servicemen and family members of war heroes and military servicemen and the basic subsistence allowances for city dwellers will also be raised. The salary reforms "will help create a sound environment for the reform on income distribution system," said President Hu Jintao at a high-level meeting discussing equal income distribution early this month. Hu added that the reform is also necessary to build an efficient, transparent and honest government in accordance with the Civil Servants Law which came into force in January, stipulating a uniform salary system for civil servants across the country. People working in remote, underdeveloped areas will also receive a special allowance and performance-related pay. The aim of the planned pay rise is to improve the welfare of government employees in China's poor and rural regions, according to the Ministry of Personnel. (Agencies)