Reform: Enterprises? Labor? Social Security

Author: Song Xiaowu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: This collection selects 40 representative articles written by the author since the urban economic system reform in 1984, mainly covering state-owned enterprises, labor system reform, and social security system reform. The order of these articles roughly reflects the author's work experience from 1983 to 1990 at the State Economic Commission and China Enterprise Management Association, from 1990 to 1996 at the Ministry of Labor and China Labor Science Research Institute, and from 1996 to 2003 at the Social Security Department of the State Commission for Reform and the State Council's Office for Reform. After 2003, the author worked at the National Development and Reform Commission and the State Council's Leading Group Office for Revitalizing Northeast China and Its Old Industrial Base. During this period, some academic articles written by the author still primarily revolved around the theme of reform. Therefore, this collection is titled "Reform: Enterprise#8226;Labor#8226;Social Security." The collection is divided into three parts—upper, middle, and lower—with some overlap between each part. The "Enterprise" section discusses quotas, staffing, and labor relations; the "Labor" section analyzes employment, wages, and the three supporting reforms of social insurance; and the "Social Security" section covers employment and distribution. Could this also serve as evidence that reforms in these three fields, though each with its own focus, are closely interconnected?
Currently, there is a new wave of intense debate about the reform of state-owned enterprises, the labor system, and social security. Many viewpoints are sharply contrasting. The author believes that avoiding baseless accusations and genuinely engaging in theoretical debate is a good thing, as it helps scholars summarize the experience of 20 years of reform and continue to advance economic and political reforms. If readers find that some articles in this collection are beneficial for further research on the theories of enterprise, labor, and social security, the author will feel deeply satisfied. Because the author is fully aware that due to various reasons, the exploration of some issues, especially "sensitive issues," is only superficial.