Migrant workers, the self-employed and all Guangzhou public servants would be covered by the city's new medicare plan, the Guangzhou government announced Wednesday.

Huadu District, Conghua and Zengcheng cities would be included in the medical insurance system.

The city proposed to reduce the monthly medical insurance fees for migrant workers from 8 percent of their total income to 4 percent.

The 4 percent, to be paid by their employers, would cover emergency treatment and hospital expenses.

A spokesman for the city's labor and social security bureau, Chen Jianlong, said the new policy could give necessary protection to migrant workers for a reduced fee.

Medical expenses for public servants would be limited to 320 yuan (US$39) a month under the new system.

Chen said the aim was to control expenses and prevent government employees over claiming medical fees.

There were a total of 1.9 million people included in the city's medical insurance system in 2004, most of them local workers. Only a small number of migrant workers had joined the system since it was established.

More than 1 million migrants and self-employed are expected to be covered by the new medical insurance system in future.

Editor: Catherine