City to award outstanding technicians

By Yang Lifei and Zou Qi  |   2008-7-4  |     ONLINE EDITION

SHANGHAI will award technicians who make outstanding contributions every two years and 50 winners will obtain an annual allowance of 10,000 yuan (US$1,429), the Shanghai Labor and Social Security Bureau said today.

The new policy is aimed to encourage talented people and provide motivation, the bureau said.

Officials said they were also considering postponing the normal retirement age for advanced technicians. Under Chinese law, a man retires at 60, women cadres at 55 and female workers at 50.

For those who were granted advanced professional qualifications outside the city and have been working in Shanghai for at least three years, the government will offer them the A-level Shanghai Residence Permit that is usually reserved for skilled individuals.

These advanced technicians, who are less than 45 years old and have been awarded technical skill prizes, will be allowed to gain permanent residence in the city.