BEIJING, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council, the Cabinet, announced Wednesday a plan to push forward a pay for merit pay system in health units and other public-sector organizations to stimulate workers' enthusiasm.

    Attendees at a State Council executive meeting, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao, agreed the performance-based salary, a major part of the reform on income distribution system in public-sector organizations, would be of great significance in increasing staff initiative and improving public service levels.

    The pay for merit system was first begun in primary and high schools from Jan. 1, 2009.

    From Oct. 1 this year, the system would be further implemented in grassroots health care institutions and some public health institutions in specific fields, such as blood collection and women's and child health care stations and disease control and prevention centers.

    Other public-sector organizations would begin the system from Jan. 1, 2010.

    The meeting also reviewed and approved a draft regulation on preventing environmental pollution of oceans by ships, which will be made public after further revision.