[Explanation] Walking into the production workshop of a clothing company in Liufu Town, Fengyang County, Chuzhou City, Anhui Province, more than 100 employees are busy preparing a batch of foreign trade orders, and the sounds of sewing machines are one after another. Recently, the reporter met Guo Qizhi, the founder of the company, in the workshop. Growing up in Liufu Town, he had gone out to work for nearly 10 years, and his income was considerable. However, out of concern for the left-behind children in his hometown, he gave up working outside in 2018 and chose to return to his hometown to start a business.
[Concurrent] Guo Qizhi, General Manager of Dingyao Clothing Co., Ltd.
When I came back in 2018, it has been about ten years. When I come back to see the children in our family, including myself, I have experienced this firsthand. My own children also need to be around. I feel that the children born in the 1980s are gradually coming back to see their children, and then they think of returning home to start this business, so that more children do not leave their parents and have a better growth environment.
[Explanation] After returning to his hometown, Guo Qizhi began to understand Fengyang County's investment promotion and poverty alleviation policies, and actively communicated with the local government. And his idea of establishing enterprises in towns and towns to attract poor households to work "in front of home" coincides with the government's poverty alleviation plan. In the early days of entrepreneurship, the Fengyang County Government also provided great support to Guo Qizhi in the company registration, site selection and recruitment process.
[Concurrent] Guo Qizhi, General Manager of Dingyao Clothing Co., Ltd.
When I first came back, these workers were all bringing children at home, and she had never seen a sewing machine, and had never made a sewing machine. Then the government helped us recruit them in the countryside and recruited them for training. A professional master came to teach some guidance and teach them to work normally. Our company also needs these left-behind women and poor households with children at home. It just so happens that our company also (has) suitable positions for them.
[Explanation] Thus, the Dingyao Poverty Alleviation Workshop in Liufu Town was officially established. So far, the company has 114 regular employees, and the monthly salary per person can reach 2,000 yuan. In addition, starting from 2019, the factory will also provide after-school "tutorial classes" for employees' children. After school, children can receive free tutoring in the factory by grade.
[Concurrent] Guo Qizhi, General Manager of Dingyao Clothing Co., Ltd.
From grade one to grade six, each grade has one teacher. We hired 7 teachers, including an English teacher. Both work and study did not fail, I made money to support my family, and my child's grades improved.
[Concurrent] Liu Qixia, employee of Dingyao Poverty Alleviation Workshop, Liufu Town
Children can come here after school and eat here, and then a tutorial class is organized in the factory, which is very convenient. You see that we are working here and we don't have time to watch them do their homework. The boss even went to the school to find a teacher to see them do their homework. We work here at ease.
[Explanation] Up to now, the workshop has recruited 38 impoverished people, including many disabled and impoverished households. Yuan Xiaoliu is one of them. Due to his physical disability, it was very difficult for him to find a suitable job in the past. Two years ago, after intensive training, Yuan Xiaoliu successfully entered the workshop to work. He told reporters that since work, not only does the child's school counseling need not worry anymore, his living conditions and mood have also changed a lot.
[Concurrent] Yuan Xiaoliu, employee of Dingyao Poverty Alleviation Workshop in Liufu Town
I just came back here from the field in 2018, and now my specific (work) is to repair the machine. (Life) is much better. I can make money every month, which is my stable income. In terms of mood, don’t you think it’s full? It’s lively here every day. After a tiring day, I wash and sleep in the dormitory. It’s so convenient. It’s that simple.
[Concurrent] Guo Qizhi, General Manager of Dingyao Clothing Co., Ltd.
Like the disabled, we also buy them five insurances, like the poor households, the government gives them a monthly subsidy of 500 yuan. They also have confidence, got rid of poverty, can work with peace of mind, and enhance their personal value.
[Explanation] At present, there are 14 poverty alleviation workshops in Fengyang County, absorbing more than 200 poor people in employment. Guo Qizhi said that in the future, he will continue to expand the scale of the industry, provide more jobs, and allow more folks to escape poverty and go to a well-off society.
Cheng Yu reports from Chuzhou, Anhui
Editor in charge: [Song Fangcan]