Toll discounts for ETC devices to conserve energy

Several ministry-level departments, including those responsible for transportation, civil affairs, human resources, and housing, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

Truck drivers encouraged to use ETC devices

Truck drivers using so-called ETC cards to pay tolls will no longer be eligible for discounts from the start of next year, the Ministry of Transport said on Aug 7.

But trucks that have electronic-toll-collection devices installed will enjoy discounts of no less than 5 percent.

The preferential policy was designed to encourage truck operators to install and use ETC devices, which would improve transport efficiency, promote energy conservation and reduce emissions, Wu Dejin, director of the ministry's highway department, said.

ETC cards allowed truck drivers to pay tolls without using cash, but could only be used at manned booths, Wu said.

He said the ministry would help to install ETC devices in trucks free of charge.

Move to help disabled live independently

China has released its first national standard for foster care services for intellectually, mentally and severely physically disabled people who are of working age－from 16 to the legal retirement age.

The standard, issued on Aug 7 by agencies including the China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Ministry of Civil Affairs and the State Administration for Market Regulation, will be put into effect on Jan 1.

According to the standard, foster care services for the disabled fall into five categories: daily care and nursing; self-care training; social adaptation training; motion function training; vocational rehabilitation; and working skills training.

Feng Shanwei, a researcher with the China Disabled Persons' Federation, said the release of the standard is aimed at requiring foster care organizations to provide more services so that more disabled people can live independently, easing the burden on their families.

Express delivery firms urged to improve training

Express delivery companies should fully allocate and use their staff education expenses, and put 60 percent into training front line employees, a notice published on Aug 6 said.

Issued by the State Post Bureau and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, it said vocational training is important in supporting the high-quality development of the express delivery industry, expanding employment and entrepreneurship, and bringing more convenience to the public.

Delivery companies should make employee training plans, carry out skills training that adapts to job requirements and organize other training activities such as skills competitions and online study, it said.

The notice also called for express delivery industry associations, leading delivery companies and industry training organizations to play a role in guiding and supporting small and medium-sized delivery companies to implement vocational training for employees.

Renovation boost for dilapidated homes

China will complete the renovation of 1.35 million dilapidated houses for poverty-stricken households in rural areas by the end of June next year as part of efforts to fight poverty, a notice published on Aug 8 said.

The notice, jointly issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development, said renovation plans and allowance standards should be determined on a household-to-household basis to ensure targeted poverty alleviation.

It said four categories of poverty-stricken households that have been made a priority, including registered poor households and poor families with disabled members, will receive an extra 2,000 yuan ($283) on top of the average renovation allowance of 14,000 yuan.