China's top legislator said on Friday the country values the role of its trade unions and supports their efforts to increase cooperation with their foreign counterparts.

"This would help better safeguard workers' rights and interests," Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the top legislature, told foreign trade union leaders.

While meeting with trade unions leaders who attended a two-day international forum on globalization and trade unions, which ended on Friday, Wu said the forum was highly significant in safeguarding workers' rights and interests, especially during the international financial crisis.

Ibrahim A. A. Ghandour, chairman of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity, said on behalf of all foreign trade union leaders that China had taken effective measures to cope with the crisis and protect workers' interests.

The forum, attended by more than 50 trade unions, called for ensuring workers' rights to employment.

(Xinhua News Agency February 14, 2009)