Ms. Chang Guichun, 46, is a worker from the Beijing Feb. 7th Locomotive Works Company Ltd., where new China Railway High-speed (CRH) trains are made. A dedicated employee, she was named the National Model Worker and was awarded the National May First Medal.
After being elected as a delegate to the 17th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC), she started collecting her colleagues' opinions on the reform of companies so that the workers' voices could be heard.
"I'm a Party member. I need to do more for my colleagues and my company," she said.
Responding on the issue about which she is most concerned, she told China.org.cn that the establishment of a social security system covering all people and their basic living conditions should be well guaranteed.
"I completely agree with Mr. Hu Jintao's report. Social security is an important guarantee of social stability. He said that a sound social security system is based on social insurance, assistance, and welfare, with basic old-age pension, medical care, and subsistence allowances as its backbone, and supplements from charity and commercial insurance," she said.
According to her, the old-age insurance systems in enterprises and Party and public institutions should be reformed. Insurance for unemployment, workers' compensation, and maternity leave should be also improved.
"Some of my colleagues changed or quit their jobs. But transferring or keeping their social security accounts became a problem. This time, in the report, the Party urged to work out unified methods on this issue and upgrade management of social security funds," she told the reporter.
Standing for her retired colleagues, she emphasized the importance of social assistance and programs for the elderly.
"Those people made great contributions to the development of our society. They devoted all their life to their work. Now they are retired and they need more care."
"For example, the current housing prices are really high. And we, the average citizens, can hardly bear it. Mr. Hu particularly mentioned this issue. He called for the Party to improve the low-rent housing system and speed up resolution of the housing difficulties of low-income families in urban areas," she told China.org.cn.
In 1979, at only 18-years of age Chang entered the heavy machinery industry. It is difficult to imagine that she used to be a latheman, miller, and locksmith in the traditionally male-dominated world.
She has managed to beat her work target every time over the years. Once because of her little technical innovation, the work efficiency of the whole factory improved by tripling the current amount.
As a diligent and careful worker, Ms. Chang always pays great attention to quality. During more than 20,000 fittings she makes every year, there is never an inferior product.
(China.org.cn by staff reporter Wang Ke, October 17, 2007)
