Job-assistance workshops in Shandong aid people in earning cash

Entering an employment-assistance workshop in Fenghuang town of Juancheng county in Shandong province, a bustling scene catches one's eyes, as over a dozen female workers focused on measuring, cutting and packing soft bags, while the sounds of their nail gunshots echoed — as if playing a melody of rural vitalization.

The fabric round stools produced in this workshop in Xuji village, with their skin friendly, soft linen fabric and ergonomic design, are highly popular in the market, as more than 10,000 storage stools are exported to South Korea each month.

"Working here, you can earn money while take care of your family. It's really great," said workshop worker Liu Fengli with a smile. The workshop helped her achieve a goal of "employment without leaving home, and income without leaving the village".

In recent years, Fenghuang town has actively introduced labor-intensive industries through job-assistance workshops, enabling the local farmers to find jobs near their doorsteps and aiding their dreams of wealth creation.

The efficient operation of such workshops is a microcosm of the government and enterprises working together to promote local economic development, as well as an effective link between consolidating and expanding the achievements of poverty alleviation and rural vitalization.

Workshop manager Liu Yuan was once a "migrant worker" who ventured outside for work. Years of hard work experience outside have enabled her to accumulate rich experience in handicraft processing. At the end of 2018, inspired by the policy in her hometown, she and her husband returned to their hometown and devoted themselves to the operation and management of industrial projects.

Nowadays, the workshop not only accepts customer orders but also independently designs products. "The government has lent us strong support, not only reducing some rent but also helping us solve the problems of water, electricity and recruitment," said Liu Yuan.

Through such employment-assistance workshops, villagers not only increased their income but also enhanced their confidence in self-development, improving their sense of happiness, said Tian Guicun, deputy township head in charge of rural vitalization.

Wang Tao, deputy Party secretary of the town, added: "We will continue to increase our support for job-assistance workshops, actively introducing more and better quality industrial projects, and helping more villagers to get jobs near their doorsteps."

Juancheng, under the jurisdiction of the prefecture-level city of Heze, now administers two sub-districts and 15 towns with a total population of over 923,000.

Please contact the writer at hanjingyan@chinadaily.com.cn