Chinese Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo has called for governments and departments at various levels to open more channels for the re-employment of laid-off workers of state-owned enterprises.

The vice-premier made the remark during an inspection tour of central China's Hubei Province from April 17 to 19, during which he inspected several local communities and labor markets and met with local officials and business people.

He pointed out that the laid-off workers of state-owned enterprises had contributed to the national economy. Some have managed to find jobs again through their own efforts and made an exemplary role for other laid-off workers.

However, a large number of laid-off fail to get re-employed and are living in difficulty, and they need help from the governments and related labor organizations to get jobs, said Wu.

He stressed that governments and departments at various levels should put re-employment of laid-off workers on top of their agenda.

He noted that re-employment should be strengthened by means of industrial restructuring, government policies on re-employment and better work of labor service organizations.