China's trade unions are planning to extend aid to more than 10 million migrant workers this year, according to a telephone conference organized by the All China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) on Tuesday.

The effort is meant to ease the plight of more than 20 million migrant workers who have been driven out of employment after the global financial turmoil forced many factories to close in China.

The federation said it aimed to cover about 5 million migrant workers with employment assistance, such as job training and vocational instructions. It would help the other 5 million safeguard their legal rights or offer them living assistance.

The federation also expected to add 5 million migrant workers this year to more than 66 million who have become trade union members by the end of 2008.

The federation used to only organize workers with urban residence permits, but is now giving more attention to recruiting and helping migrants.

Sun Chunlan, the ACFTU deputy chairperson, said trade unions in 10 big cities would vouch for migrant workers, on a pilot basis, to secure small loans for migrants.

She said the ACFTU would also work closely with government human resources departments, enterprises, and social groups to organize various job fairs so as to find jobs for migrant workers.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2009)