Chinese worker credited by TIME, yet their jobs not favored by majority: report

The Chinese worker has been awarded by the TIME magazine as runners-up to Ben Bernanke in its Person of the Year 2009 list, but their jobs are not favored by majority, Guangzhou Daily reported Saturday.

"It is ironic that the global financial crisis triggered by Wall Street has to be saved by Chinese unknown worker in the end," the paper said.

The TIME magazine Wednesday published on its website a list including Person of the Year 2009, Runners-Up, People Who Mattered. In a brief introduction of the Chinese workers, it said Chinese workers have made the country's 8-percent annual economic growth rate become true.

"China has done it, and this year it remains the world's fastest-growing major economy -- and an economic stimulus for everyone else. Who deserves the credit? Above all, tens of millions of workers who have left their homes, and often their families, to find work in the factories of China's booming coastal cities." said the introduction.

However, Guangzhou Daily said Chinese workers have not been well recognized, citing a recent online survey which shows only one percent of respondents say they want to be workers in China.

Government organs, public institutions, monopoly enterprises and banking and insurance industries are among respondents' most favored targets, the survey shows.

"In essence, it's related to the society's status identity and benefit distribution," the paper said.

Workers in China often get low payment or even wage arrears, and they have not enjoyed the social welfare as well as other groups in the society, the paper said.

In recent years, the Chinese government has been making efforts in improving the quality of workers' lives and protecting their interests and rights.

Source: Xinhua