A report in the Guangzhou Daily said a joint effort by the Guangzhou Labor and Social Security Bureau and the Guangzhou Communications Association will see 500 to 1000 laid-off workers recruited as taxi-drivers.

The introduction of taxi-drivers with good knowledge of the local dialect and traffic system is plausible for the reemployment of laid-off workers.

Between 220 thousand to 230 thousand laid-off workers are registered in Guangzhou, a salary of 2000 to 3000 yuan for most taxi-drivers would be most attractive for most laid-off workers.

"If I can become a taxi-driver, I can be free of worrying about living expenses as well as my child's tuition fees", a man surnamed Huang was quoted as saying.

When conditions permit, suitable people from the registered laid-off workers data bank will be selected and encouraged to obtain a driver's license. Taxi companies that employ laid-off workers will enjoy some government incentives. The city government will pay retirement, unemployment and social insurances.

(Shenzhen Daily July 26, 2004)