China passes law on enchanced protection for disabled. Police chief vows protection of rights and dignity of rural migrants. (Xinhua)
China’s new law on protection of the disabled effective July 1
Several new Chinese laws and regulations, including the amended Law on Protection of the Disabled, will take effect on Tuesday.
The amendment is aimed at improving protection of the country’s more than 83 million disabled ahead of the 2008 Paralympics in September. China’s top legislator, Wu Bangguo, told a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in April: “Caring for the disabled is a sign of social progress and an important part of building a harmonious society.
It showcases the country’s avowed respect for human rights in its constitution.
A revision of a 1991 law, the amendment was drawn up to “tackle new circumstances and problems” cropping up amid economic and social advances, according to Civil Affairs Minister Li Xueju.
The amendment added details about financial support, medical care and rehabilitation services for the disabled, along with preferential policies on jobs and taxes.
Governments at the county level or above should provide stable funding and draw up annual plans to help the disabled, it said.
It stressed the need to build and improve physical facilities that would make it easier for the disabled.
Beijing will host the Paralympics in September, while the AsianPara Games will be held in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, in 2010.
According to the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, the country has about 83 million disabled, accounting for 6.34 percent of the population. More than 75 percent of the disabled live in rural areas.
China’s police chief vows to protect “dignity”, rights of rural migrants
Chinese State Councilor and Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu pledged to protect the rights of rural migrants by cracking down on abuses of their “dignity” and civil rights on Monday.
At the year’s first plenary conference of the leading group for security management of migrants, under the Central Committee of Comprehensive Management of Public Security, he urged all authorities “to provide timely, appropriate and sufficient services” for the country’s 210 million migrants.
Meng described migrants as vital to the building of a prosperous society and “part owners” of the achievements of economic and social development. The Party and the government were duty-bound to provide high-quality services and management, he said.
Local officials should listen to migrants and try hard to meet their demands, so as to improve services and management, said Meng, who is also a deputy director of the central committee and head of the leading group.
They should enjoy equal employment opportunities and employment services, improved housing and schooling for their children, and better integration with local residents, he said.
He urged companies to sign labor contracts and pledged to crackdown on unpaid wages, while encouraging trade unions to protect their rights.
