Chapter 1825

When it comes down to it, these workers are owed by the county government, not the other way around. If you want to renovate their homes, you must first pay back what you owe them.

And so, this shantytown has remained as it is. However, Lu Ping has been living in constant fear, and now that he finally sees hope for a solution, he is naturally the first to agree.

The other vice county magistrates had no objections either and agreed to this resolution. In any case, this work falls under the purview of An Dachang, so it has nothing to do with them. As for the finances, those are managed by Su Xinghui, so how much money is spent is also of no concern to them. Since Shi Ronghuai has no objections, who among them would dare to speak out against it?

Seeing that everyone agreed to the plan, Shi Ronghuai nodded and said, "Very well, then this resolution is passed. Today's meeting ends here; everyone should proceed according to their respective areas of responsibility."

That morning, many people came to the county committee compound to register at the county government office. These were all laid-off workers, but not just from the printing factory. Over the past few days, the news of County Magistrate Su and County Magistrate An visiting the printing factory had spread like a whirlwind throughout the entire factory district, and everyone knew about it.

And so, as soon as Monday arrived, everyone came, unable to wait a moment longer.

Fortunately, the county government office had made some preparations, and these workers were very organized and disciplined. They were also very patient, queuing up consciously.

They had been laid off for years; how could they not have patience? Solving the problem wouldn't be delayed by these few minutes.

The first to register was Old Man Feng's eldest son, who was also Zhu Tie's brother-in-law. He was an electrician at the printing factory, so he registered as a skilled worker. Su Xinghui planned to arrange for all these skilled workers to be placed in the newly invested enterprises.

Those without specific skills, the middle-aged people around forty or fifty years old, all registered to become sanitation workers. To them, having such a stable job was already quite good.

Li Shuqin's husband, Hong Dajun, was a mechanical repairman at the printing factory. His technical skills were superb, which was recognized by all the workers at the factory. He was still several years away from retirement, so he also came to register to find a job. When the staff heard his qualifications, they registered him for a teaching position at the vocational training school.

This made Hong Dajun incredibly happy. He inquired and found out that, in addition to a salary, teachers at the vocational training school also received lesson subsidies and other benefits. His income would be quite high—far better than when his original factory was thriving.

There were also some who wanted to open their own shops, and they registered here as well. After hearing about the county's preferential support policies for laid-off workers, they were quite tempted. Changshan County was becoming increasingly prosperous, and they felt that opening a shop should be profitable.

Of course, almost everyone registered to apply for public rental housing. None of their average household living areas exceeded ten square meters; most were only three or four square meters. Even counting the sheds they had built in violation of regulations, it was impossible for them to exceed ten square meters, so they all qualified to apply.

The staff explained to them that the first batch of public rental housing to be completed in the second half of the year would only consist of a few hundred units, which might not meet everyone's needs. However, they asked them not to worry, as public rental housing would be completed successively, and everyone would be able to move into public rental housing.

These laid-off workers could understand this; Rome wasn't built in a day, and public rental housing couldn't be moved into in a day either. It was a process. They had lived there for so many years; they could afford to wait a few months.

The county government would, of course, investigate each household that applied for public rental housing to see if they truly met the criteria. If they did not meet the criteria, it would be impossible for their application to succeed.

Su Xinghui was still planning to incorporate these laid-off workers into the social security system, as this was the only way to ensure they would have security for life.

In the mid-to-late nineties, many places across the country began to establish and improve their social security systems. However, Changshan County's social security system had never been very complete, mainly because it had been poor and lacked fiscal funds. But now that the fiscal situation had improved significantly, Su Xinghui prepared to improve the county's social security system as well.

It was a bustling day, and the registration for these laid-off workers was not yet finished. The staff told those who hadn't registered yet to come back the next day, and they understood and agreed to return.

Seeing this scene, Su Xinghui felt quite gratified. This was a major undertaking, and being able to handle it well gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

After work, Su Xinghui declined several social engagements as usual and went home. Taking good care of Lu Xiaoya was his biggest priority now.

Upon returning home, Lu Xiaoya had already finished work and was sitting in the living room. Li Shuqin was busy cooking in the kitchen. Su Xinghui sat down beside Lu Xiaoya, and she whispered, "Xinghui, Auntie Li is so happy today!"

Su Xinghui smiled and said, "Is that so? As long as she's happy."

Lu Xiaoya said, "How could she not be? She went home this afternoon and said that Uncle Hong registered for a teacher position at the vocational school today. He's never been a teacher before; this is such an honor."

Su Xinghui nodded and said, "I heard about that too. Uncle Hong is a mechanical repairman with superb skills; him becoming a teacher is just right."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Their family also registered for public rental housing, but I don't know if they'll be able to get a unit in the first batch."

Su Xinghui said, "Uncle Hong and Auntie Li live in a shed, so those living in sheds should have priority. However, their eldest son lives in a tube apartment, so he might not get a unit for now. Living in a shed is too dangerous; if a fire breaks out, it's all over. Once they get public rental housing and move out of the shed, the shed will have to be demolished."

In fact, Hong Dajun and Li Shuqin had originally lived in a tube apartment, but after their eldest son got married, they moved into the shed and let their eldest son have the tube apartment. Such is the pitiful heart of parents everywhere.

This time, the county government studied the matter and decided to let workers living in sheds have priority for housing. Once they move into public rental housing, the sheds will be demolished, which is equivalent to eliminating a major fire hazard.

Lu Xiaoya couldn't help but feel happy for Li Shuqin: "Then Auntie Li's family should be able to move into a new house in a few months."

Li Shuqin had taken care of Lu Xiaoya in their home for so long, and Lu Xiaoya had deep feelings for her. Hearing that Li Shuqin's family's life was about to get better, she was genuinely happy for her.

Su Xinghui nodded and smiled: "Yes, they should be able to move into a new house."

Lu Xiaoya said, "Xinghui, you've done a great thing this time!"

As she spoke, Lu Xiaoya gave Su Xinghui a thumbs up.

Su Xinghui asked with a smile, "Are you happy now?"

Lu Xiaoya nodded and said, "Happy."

Su Xinghui said, "If you're happy, then I'm happy!"

While they were talking, Li Shuqin came out with the dishes, smiling. She said to Su Xinghui, "County Magistrate Su is back, let's eat!"

Su Xinghui helped Li Shuqin bring out the dishes, and the three of them began to eat. Li Shuqin said, "County Magistrate Su, thank you for everything this time!"

Su Xinghui said, "Auntie Li, please don't be so formal; we're not outsiders."

Li Shuqin said, "How can you say that? You didn't just help our family; you saved thousands of workers in that area!"

Su Xinghui said, "Auntie Li, you're taking it too seriously; it's not that dramatic."

Li Shuqin said solemnly, "County Magistrate Su, you don't know, but many laid-off workers there can't even survive anymore. Some young girls have gone down the wrong path, and some older ones, in poor health, are in pain all over. They have no money for medical treatment, so they just go to the pharmacy to buy cheap painkillers to get by..."

Speaking of this, Li Shuqin's eyes welled up with tears.