China's leadership has prioritized employment as the country prepares to enter a period of prolonged economic difficulty. On Dec. 5, the country's top economic planner, the State Council, unveiled a slew of policies designed to support employment in a paper that includes a plan to refund 50 percent of unemployment insurance premiums -- which currently account for 2 percent of total payroll -- to companies that forgo layoffs or keep them to a minimum. Other measures include offering subsidies and allowances to enterprises and individuals engaged in professional training, with a special focus on people aged 16 to 24. And to shore up confidence and support for private businesses, Beijing will also work to increase access to government-guaranteed loans and subsidies for small businesses and entrepreneurs....
