Speech on Labor Heroes

(January 1945)

The Three Major Roles of Labor Heroes

1. The leading role: raising the standards of production and work, setting an example so that the masses can emulate you. 2. The backbone role: as people often say, "One good man needs three helpers, one fence needs three stakes." You have united the masses and carried out production and various kinds of work. 3. Labor heroes are bridges, playing the role of bringing upward and transmitting downward. You bring upward the experience and opinions of the masses; you also come up here to attend meetings, and if you deem correct the matters discussed at the general meetings, you take them back and tell the masses.

Do Not Be Arrogant, Correct Shortcomings

However, there is one point to pay attention to, and that is not to think yourselves extraordinary and look down on others. At last year's labor heroes conference, "washing the face" and "sweeping the floor" were discussed. It is best for labor heroes to sweep away the dust every day. The dust is shortcomings. I hope everyone will pay attention to correcting shortcomings, diligently study what you have not yet learned, and be labor heroes year after year.

In 1945, Mao Zedong conversed with labor hero Yang Buhao.