Chapter 2801

Su Xinghui said, "Laid-off workers have made tremendous contributions to our country, to Yanbei Province, and to Baozhou City. Now that they have been laid off, even if we consider this the sacrifice they have made for the country, for Yanbei Province, and for Baozhou City, we cannot say that just because they have been laid off, we can simply abandon them, can we?"

Miao Leshan gave a muffled grunt. He always felt that Su Xinghui's words were directed at him, yet Su Xinghui's statement was irrefutable. Not knowing what else to say, he could only use that muffled grunt to express his dissatisfaction.

Su Xinghui did not mind Miao Leshan's grunt and continued, "The practical difficulties faced by laid-off workers must be numerous. They have worked in their enterprises for a lifetime, and suddenly being laid off, they must be very unaccustomed to it. With no income and no benefits, and in such cold weather, they have no heating at home and not even enough money to buy groceries. What are they supposed to do?"

"We must also try to think from the perspective of the laid-off workers. We cannot treat them as a burden to be kicked away and ignored. They are human beings, not machines. They still need to live, or rather, to survive. If a government leaves its people without even the right to survive, will such a government be supported by the people?"

Miao Leshan said with some impatience, "Stop with all these grand principles. Just tell us something practical. How should this problem be solved? You are standing there talking without feeling the pain—it's not like you're the one who has to pay the money, right?"

Su Xinghui smiled slightly and said, "What I said earlier is very practical. To solve this problem, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of the laid-off workers. Only then can we better think of ways for them and solve their difficulties. Once their difficulties are solved, this problem can be thoroughly resolved."

"Of course, to solve the problem, money must be spent, but isn't this a price we ought to pay?"

Before Su Xinghui could finish, Miao Leshan sneered, "Talk all you want, it still comes down to making the city pay. I thought you were so capable."

Su Xinghui said, "So, Vice Mayor Miao wants to solve such a huge problem without spending a single cent? Perhaps you even want to squeeze some fiscal revenue out of it? Vice Mayor Miao is truly calculating; you are a good steward for our Baozhou City!"

Miao Leshan also knew his thinking was a bit naive, but naturally, he would not back down in front of Su Xinghui. He gave another muffled grunt and said nothing more.

Su Xinghui said, "To thoroughly solve the difficulties of the laid-off workers, relying solely on fiscal expenditure is certainly not enough. We must also develop the economy and introduce some preferential policies to encourage laid-off workers to start their own businesses—for instance, opening snack shops, breakfast stalls, or even moving companies. Such policies have been implemented very well in many places."

"Additionally, we can attract investment and carry out shareholding reforms for those state-owned enterprises in distress to bring them back to life. This way, we can absorb those laid-off workers. This is the only way to solve the problem once and for all."

Everyone looked at each other in dismay. It wasn't that they thought Su Xinghui's method was bad; it was just that this method was unworkable in Baozhou City. The functional departments in Baozhou City were too infuriating. Every investor who came to Baozhou ended up with a miserable outcome, so now, no one dared to come to Baozhou anymore. With such a reputation, who would dare to come?

Wei Ziming asked, "Comrade Su Xinghui, can you bring in investors?"

Su Xinghui smiled slightly and said, "As long as you agree to one condition, I can bring in investors."

Wei Ziming asked, "What condition?"

Su Xinghui said, "This isn't really a condition for me personally; it is also beneficial for Baozhou. That is to put great effort into rectifying Baozhou City's investment environment. I have been in Baozhou for quite a while now, and I have heard and seen many things. Baozhou City's investment environment lags behind many cities in the south, and the gap is significant. If this problem is not solved, other problems cannot be solved either."

Wei Ziming immediately fell into deep thought. He certainly knew how terrible Baozhou City's investment environment was. This problem was not caused by any single person but had been a tradition for a long time.

The staff in Baozhou's functional departments had terrible attitudes, and everything had to rely on connections. Those with connections had a green light all the way, while those without were subjected to extortion and obstruction. A single procedure often took several months to complete. How could this retain investors?

The municipal government had thought about rectifying the investment environment, but ice three feet thick is not formed in a single day. Moreover, a large portion of the staff in those functional departments were relatives or friends of the leaders. To rectify them? Wouldn't that be the same as rectifying the leaders themselves?

Therefore, this matter had been shelved, and until now, no one had brought it up. Baozhou City's economic development had been like an old ox pulling a broken cart.

Now that Su Xinghui said he could bring in investors but proposed such a thorny condition, Wei Ziming could not help but hesitate.

Su Xinghui was not in a hurry; he began to drink his tea in a leisurely manner.

The other vice mayors were also harboring their own thoughts. Those sitting close to each other whispered to one another, though it was unclear what they were discussing.

After a long while, Wei Ziming looked up and said, "Rectifying the investment environment requires everyone's joint effort. Let us all pool our wisdom and see how we should proceed."