Ningxia FTU actively support ecological protection and the development of a high-quality pilot zone in the Yellow River Basin

The Ningxia Federation of Trade Unions (FTU) has been actively advancing ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin through a series of innovative measures. With a comprehensive approach, they have formulated 13 specific measures across six areas to serve the overall development objectives and contribute to progress through practical actions.

One of the initiatives includes launching the "Five Smalls" activities focusing on small inventions, small innovations, small reforms, small designs, and small suggestions for water conservation. Each year, at least 10 projects falling under the "Five Smalls" water conservation initiative are recognized and rewarded, aiming to inspire workers on the production frontlines to continuously enhance their creativity and enthusiasm for improving water-saving techniques. Extensive water conservation awareness campaigns are being carried out among workers to instill a culture of water conservation and enhance water-saving capabilities. Efforts are also underway to promote water-saving practices within organizations, integrating water conservation into institutional culture to facilitate a reasonable reduction in per capita water consumption.

The federation is actively establishing "Model Worker Forests" to leverage the exemplary role of model workers in promoting greenery and ecological restoration among workers. Individuals making outstanding contributions to ecological environment construction, such as forest rangers, forestry technology experts, and individuals excelling in desertification control, are encouraged to participate in national and  local model worker and May 1st Labor Medal evaluations. Workers at the forefront of ecological construction initiatives, including those involved in comprehensive soil erosion control, desertification control, afforestation efforts, and mining site restoration, are identified and supported during the New Year, Spring Festival, and summer seasons, guiding them to excel in their ecological construction roles. Moreover, Ningxia's trade union system officials and workers are actively engaged in tree planting and afforestation activities to contribute to the advancement of ecological civilization.

During the selection of national and Ningxia-level model workers, including recipients of May 1st Labor Medals, Workers' Vanguard titles, and the "Artisan of the Frontier" recognition, priority is given to enterprises and individuals promoting "zero emissions" in both enterprises and industrial zones. Enterprises and individuals associated with severe environmental pollution incidents in the past three years are subject to a "one-vote veto" during the selection process, fostering a strong sense of collective responsibility for environmental protection.

Focused on small watershed management, comprehensive water and sediment control, integrated riverbank and floodplain management, and the construction of small and medium-sized water conservancy projects, labor competitions emphasizing speed, quality, technology, safety, and civility are being conducted to ensure high-quality outcomes. Collaborative efforts with relevant departments are being made to organize exemplary labor and skill competitions for major projects such as the construction of large and medium-sized irrigation areas, modern water-saving transformations, efficient water-saving agricultural and ecological farming initiatives, and the construction of "Internet Plus Urban and Rural Water Supply" demonstration zones. These initiatives aim to enhance water conservation efforts within engineering projects and accelerate the development of a water-saving society.

The federation is nurturing 100 village-level trade union organization construction pilot sites, providing a subsidy of 50,000 yuan ($6819.95) to each pilot village to bolster comprehensive village-level trade union development. Through these pilot initiatives, the federation aims to establish and strengthen trade union organizations. Ultimately this effort aims to transition rural laborers into industrial workers and trade union members, thereby bolstering the ranks of industrial workers.

In alignment with the establishment of the "Six New, Six Special, Six Excellent" industrial system, the federation is committed to nurturing 10 autonomous regional-level model workers and craftsmen talent innovation studios annually, along with 100 county-level and above model workers and craftsmen talent innovation studios. These innovation studios are guided to collaborate regionally, focusing on key industries and core technologies to overcome bottlenecks in industrial development in Ningxia. By harnessing collective wisdom, these efforts aim to unleash the potential of innovators and creators in Ningxia, fostering a culture of innovation and competition. The federation is actively advocating for the establishment of a grape wine industry union and striving to host national grape wine industry labor and skill competitions to play a pivotal role in supporting the development of the grape wine industry in Ningxia.