At least one person in 80% of the zero-employment households in China's urban areas will have a job by the end of this year, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) pledged on last Saturday, according to the Economic Observer (in Chinese). Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Security Zhang Xiaojian told a national conference that the goal must be achieved by creating more job opportunities, especially in the public service. Local governments have been exploring ways to create jobs by developing labor-intensive industries and expanding community services. The MLSS has asked local labor and social security departments to provide those on unemployment benefits with vocational training.