“When we look back into the past, we should be grateful for our current achievents. We had work hard to get to where we are today! We can look forward to a better future. Now, let’s put your hands together to invite Manager Feng on to the stage!”
Li Mingde had said an encouraging speech and all the staffs clapped and cheered.
Feng Yu raised both his hands in the air to quiet the crowd: “Thank you for your applause. We had achieved a lot in the past year. Since the day the Machinery Company was ford from the Machinery Factory, it was the best year. Of course, this would continue for many years to co. I do not want to waste ti talking nonsenses.
Simply put it, last year I had made money from my investnts. This sum of money was due to everybody’s hard work. That’s why I will apply from the City Governnt to purchase the plot of land north of our factory this coming ear. We will use that plot of land to build a new apartnt building for our employees!”
Wah… wah… wah……
The applauses were louder than before. All the workers were excited. This matter directly affected them. How can they not be excited? Especially those younger workers. They had wanted new houses. They were still living with their parents in a 30 square ters small house. If there were to get married, it would be too crowded.
“Now, there are two options. First, we will build the new building like the current old hostels, and it will be shared among all the employees. The company will own the building. All of you can only live in these buildings. Once you leave the company or you are fired from the company, the company will take back your lodging. The other option is that we will collect the construction cost of the apartnt building from you, but this apartnt will be under your na. You can sell it in the future. Even if you had left the company, the apartnt would still belong to you! Which option do all of you prefer?”
“The 2nd option! We want our own houses!” Soone shouted.
“That’s right. The second option! We want to own our own apartnt!”
Welfare housing programs had started from the 1980s. Employees would just need to pay part of the construction fees, and the organization would pay the rest. The ownership of the apartnt will belong to the employee. The benefit of this program was that the employees can buy and sell those apartnts. These apartnts were bigger than those ordinary apartnts assigned to those workers. There were even 3 bedrooms apartnts, which was suitable for a family of 3 generations.
“Ok. I know everybody’s wishes. We shall be using the second option. For the welfare apartnts, there are also 2 options, which is 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms apartnts. 2 bedrooms apartnt will be smaller and suitable for a family of 3. 3 bedrooms apartnt will be slightly bigger and is suitable for a family of 3 generations. But at the sa ti, 3 bedrooms apartnts will be more expensive.”
“2 bedrooms apartnt!”
“Build 3 bedrooms apartnt!”
The workers were shouting at the top of their lungs. But their opinions were divided.
“Since there is demand for both type of apartnts, then we will build both. When the building is ready, all of you can apply to purchase these apartnts. Those that fit the criteria will have the right to purchase the apartnt. The criteria will be announced later, and everyone can apply through your supervisor. Your applications will then be passed on to our Labour Union. There is still a problem. Do all of you want those old type of buildings or do you all prefer those high-rise buildings like those in the City? There will be elevators in the building. Both types of buildings cost about the sa.”
Those workers were elated. They can still choose to stay in a high-rise building? We were only ordinary workers, and we can stay in this type of apartnts?
“High-rise buildings! The higher, the better!”
“Low-level buildings are better. What if the elevators’ cable snapped and the lift dropped down from above?”
“Other people’s elevators also do not have accidents. Why do you think that your elevators will have an accident? Don’t you take elevators at work?”
It seems that the workers have different opinions on this too. But Feng Yu had a way to solve this.
“Okay. I know about everybody’s wishes. Later we will tabulate everyone’s opinions, and we will take it into considerations. We will try to let every employee stay in a comfortable apartnt. Next, I want to share a piece of good news with all of you. Our hospital will be converted to a shareholding hospital. We will be purchasing the best and most advanced dical equipnt, and we will be hiring professors and specialists. The City Governnt had already given us the approvals!”
The workers start to cheer and clap excitedly again. This was sothing that benefits them and how could they not be excited? They do not care whether if the hospital was converted or not. They would still be paying the sa rates when they seek treatnts at the hospital. But now, the quality of the doctors in the hospital will be better, and there were better facilities. This was sothing to cheer.
“Lastly, I need to ntion this. Last year, although we had built new factories and our finances were tight, but we will still be giving all of you a one-month bonus, just like the previous year!”
The crowd cheered louder than before. So of the workers were shouting ‘long live Manager Feng’ and ‘long live Manager Li’. Li Mingde was overjoyed.
“Do everybody know why our eting is held at the Cultural Palace this year? It is not that our company cannot fit all of you. There is an important reason. We have invited the Provincial Dance Troupe to perform for all of you. Manager Li, help carry this table down. We should not hold everybody back from with the performances.” Feng Yu smiled.
“No problems. I am also looking forward to the performance.”
The workers laughed, and the performance started.
……
That night, the workers returned ho and discussed with their family on what was announced earlier the day. They got to decide which options to take.
The next day, the workers saw the notifications issued from the head office. All of them were excited.
“Eh, have you read the notifications? If you return the old hostels, you can get money. My family will definitely choose the 3 bedrooms apartnts. My parents are going to retire, and I will be getting married. They can stay at ho and help look after my children.”
“What a pity. I can only purchase 2 bedrooms apartnt. Why didn’t my parents work for the Machinery Factory in the past?”
“At least you are better than so of us. Only those that worked in the Machinery Company for over 3 years can apply for these apartnts. So of us had only worked for less than 1 year. I wonder when they reached the criteria, will there still be apartnts left.”
……
“Look at this condition. Those that return the old hostel rooms can apply to stay at the singles hostel. Can we apply for this?”
“Are you stupid? Those new apartnts will be ready in Autumn this year. You still want to stay in the singles hostels? Go and apply for a 3 bedrooms apartnt.”
“But I am not married yet. I do not qualify for the 3 bedrooms apartnt.”
“You and Lingling can get married now. Both of you are working here for more than 3 years. Both of you are qualified. Also, if both of you apply together can get more subsidies. The both of you only need to spend a little, and you can afford to buy the new apartnt.
This apartnt building is a high-rise building with elevators. Only the City center have such buildings. Those Provincial Governnt officials also do not have such good apartnts!”
“That’s right. If your parents return the old apartnt to the company, you can also apply for the bigger 3 bedrooms apartnt. This condition will benefit Uncle Li’s family. His son is working in the City Governnt. He and his wife will fulfill this condition of those families whose children would not take over their positions. They can pay a bit more to purchase a 2 bedrooms apartnt. With an elevator, it would be easier for them to move around.”
The conditions were very detailed, but none of the workers felt that it was unreasonable. The higher-ups had also promised them that they will construct the welfare apartnts every year. All the workers will have the chance to apply for the flats. There was no need to rush. Although the old hostels can also be purchased, no one was interested. The new buildings will have elevators and will be more spacious. Who would be interested in those old hostels?
All of the Machinery Company’s employees were glad. There were no other units in the whole city and even the whole Province that offers such good benefits!
Li Mingde sighed. Manager Feng has his ways to let those workers pick the options he wanted them to pick…….
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