Ninty-nine migrant workers from quake-hit Dujiangyan City in Sichuan Province arrived in Shanghai on Tuesday for their new jobs.

Wearing red hats and white T-shirts with the slogan "I love China," the workers are among the first to be employed in Shanghai after the city presented two major job fairs in Dujiangyan.

"At an average age of 25, they will mainly work at restaurants and factories in Shanghai's 19 districts and counties," said Ding Feng, vice director of Shanghai Municipal Labor and Social Security Bureau's employment promotion center.

"Since few of them have received higher education, job training will be provided by businesses and the municipal government will cover the expense."

Shanghai has agreed to advertise 4,000 jobs in Dujiangyan by the end of September, recruit 1,000 workers and help 25,000 laborers to find jobs in their home town.

"It's the first time I've been to Shanghai. People are kind here, not only offering me a job but also treating me nicely," said He Yanwen, a 19-year-old girl who will work in Jinshan District. "I was an intern working at Jiuzhaigou when the earthquake happened. After graduation, I couldn't find a job."

After recruitment, employers from 19 districts and counties will take care of the workers' training, accommodation, food and life in Shanghai.

Zhu Hongguang, board chairman of Shanghai Large Banquet Building Food Dining Co. Ltd, said his company recruited about 70 workers at the job fair.

"To create a relaxed atmosphere, we've sent some veteran Sichuan employees to live with them."

(Shanghai Daily July 23, 2008)