Nearly one-fifth of rural workers in China choose to work in the construction industry, according to an investigation from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security released on Monday.

A ministry investigation among the country's rural workers recently found the industries of construction, electronics, clothing and shoemaking, accomodation and catering and commercial service attract 70 percent of rural workers.

Among the five industries, 17 percent of rural workers are working in the electronics industry, 15 percent in clothing and shoemaking industry, 11 percent in the accomodation and catering industry and 9 percent in the commercial service sector, according to the investigation.

In 2005, the ministry said, the average working time for rural workers in cities is 9.5 months a year, longer than all previous years.

The monthly salary of sampled rural workers averaged 1,045 yuan (129.8 U.S. dollars) in 2005, and the salary level is different for different regions, with that of the eastern areas higher than that of the western part.

The ministry said the way of seeking jobs for rural workers altered from traditional introduction by relatives to official job-seeking agencies.

Source: Xinhua