China reforms could spell end for "iron rice bowl" jobs

China has introduced measures to better select and manage leaders of public institutions.

In a bid to provide better services for the public, a tenure system will be implemented for public sector managers in a range of fields. Tenures will last three to five years, while primary and middle school principals tenures can last for six years, according to the regulations released Sunday.

The new rules set out measures to regulate management in public sector areas including publicity and culture, colleges, primary and high schools, scientific research, and public hospitals. These areas account for 70 percent of the total staff in China's public institutions.

The rules state that "statesmen running newspaper, magazines, radio and TV stations, and news portals" must have firm political belief and adhere to the Communist Party spirit and principles as prerequisites for leaders in the publicity and cultural sectors.

"One-sided pursuit of high box office, audience ratings, circulation and click rates should be avoided in appraisal of members of the management teams," the rules say.

Colleges and universities must be run by "socialist statesmen and educationists," and measures must be adopted to prevent selection simply based on candidates' scores, educational background, or honorable titles.

The regulations state that a contract-based appointment system for management in primary and middle schools, scientific research institutions and public hospitals should be created in order to end the reliance on secure and lifelong jobs, commonly referred to as "iron rice bowl" jobs.

All administrative managerial personnel must be appointed in this way if conditions allow, according to the new rules.

With their close relations with government, management teams in China's public sectors have long been administered the same way as government officials, which has hindered their development.

Scientific research institutions will be encouraged to select their management team from enterprises, social groups, and well-known research institutes and universities abroad.

The regulations also stress that candidates must have both integrity and ability to act as part of management teams, and they should possess political integrity and professional competence.

The new rules are released jointly by the organization and publicity departments of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the ministries of education, and science and technology, and the National Health and Family Planning Commission. Endi