Shanghai plans to create 500,000 new jobs this year amid a gloomy job market haunted by the global economic downturn, the city government has said.

Among the new jobs, 100,000 are for farmers-turned-laborers, Shanghai government spokesman Chen Qiwei was quoted by China Daily on Friday as saying.

The goal of creating 500,000 new jobs will be achieved in four quarters. "For instance, 150,000 new positions will be available between January and March," Chen said

"The employment pressure this year is challenging," he said, adding about 158,000 fresh graduates will enter the job market this year, 9,000 higher than 2008.

Besides, the government plans to offer 210,000 senior citizens with community- or home-based care services, while allocating allowances to 126,000 elderly people who can't make ends meet.

"Some 10,000 new beds will be added in old-age homes, in addition to 50 new daycare centers and 100 community dining service outlets," Chen said.

About 100,000 migrant workers will be trained on occupational skills, and 98 percent of rural residents will be covered in the city's pension program, Chen said.

Creating more jobs, providing better care services to senior citizens and improving educational facilities for migrant workers' children, are some of the "10 practical projects" the municipal government hopes to complete in this year, according to the spokesman.

Shanghai has launched programs to provide graduates and migrant workers with subsidies for skill training. On December 30, the first employment service base was set up in Shanghai for graduates to gain internship experiences.

The Shanghai government also encouraged business start-ups to increase jobs. The city pledged to limit the registered unemployment rate to below 4.5 percent.

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2009)