Political advisors urge improved protection of builders' rights

China's national political advisors called for better protection of the interests and rights of injured construction workers at a symposium on Thursday.

Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Yu Zhengsheng, attended the symposium and exchanged ideas with advisors and experts.

Advisors said construction was a pillar industry in China's national economy and construction workers had made great contributions to national development: Their rights should be guaranteed.

Builders face a high risk of being involved in an industrial accident, yet many are uninsured against injury at work, thus, placing themselves in a vulnerable position, the advisors noted.

Political advisors raised proposals on increasing coverage of social security programs, and on revising the Building Law so as to standardize the construction market.

The responsibility of the government and developers must also be clearly defined, the advisors said, adding that concealing and falsifying reports on accidents should be strictly punished

They also suggested that trade unions should play an active role in safeguarding injured builders' rights.