China aims to keep unemployment rate below 4.5 percent in 2015 and create job opportunities for more than 7 million young college graduates, according to the minister of Human Resources and Social Security.
On the sidelines of the annual session of the NPC, Yin Weimin said on Tuesday that ensuring employment for college graduates will be 『a top priority』.
Around 15 million graduates and three million migrant workers will be looking for jobs this year, the minister said.
The task is tough this year in the wake of China’s downward economy, he added.
The target for new urban jobs in 2015 is 32.2 percent lower than last year, despite it being a high figure of 10 million, said Yin.
His remarks come as China is adjusting its socioeconomic policies amid economic slowdown, not just in employment but in areas like healthcare and the pension system.
Speaking on the retirement debate, the minister said the retirement age in China may go up within the next decade.
「The central government will introduce new rules in 2017 that will take effect as early as 2022」, he said.
He said the retirement age would be raised 『in progressive steps,』 but didn’t give further details on how the plan will be carried out.
The current retirement age in China is 60 or 55 for men depending on the requirements of the job and 55 or 50 for women.