BEIJING -- China will bolster policy support to help migrant workers staying in their hometowns obtain employment locally or in nearby areas, in an effort to boost the virus-hit rural job market, the country's agriculture ministry said Monday.

The country will pool resources to guide migrant workers to engage in agriculture, create jobs by implementing rural infrastructure projects, nurture innovative business models and support startups, according to a guideline jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

It also urged efforts to implement pro-employment policies and guide enterprises to increase jobs. Supportive fiscal, tax and credit policies such as subsidies and loans with discounted interest rates for those starting their own business shall be put in place.

Firms were also encouraged to come up with flexible employment modes for targeted migrant workers, while measures will be introduced to optimize employment services and launch professional training programs, said the guideline.