Draft Beijing municipal government regulations will use packages
of 30 days' additional leave and extra benefits to promote later
childbirth as well as equalizing the entitlements of migrant
workers in the city.
Citizens can give their feedback on this draft before the end of
this year on the website of the Beijing Municipal Legal Affairs
Office (LAO) at www.bjfzb.gov.cn. The final
version of the regulations is scheduled to be published in the
middle of 2005.
Kong Fanrong, a senior official from Beijing's LAO, told
Beijing News that the aim of the draft is to extend fair
levels of compensation and security to more female employees. It
makes explicit employers' overall legal responsibilities and
regulates details such as insurance calculations and the precise
treatments covered.
This is the first time that leave and insurance policies
favoring later childbirth are being considered in China. The
regulations could also make a significant difference to Beijing's
migrant workers since their entitlement will be improved as long as
they qualify for state and local family planning policies.
Hospitals could face fines of between 5,000 and 20,000 yuan or
even lose their license if benefits go astray. Employers will also
risk punishment by labor departments and employees compensated if
regulations are violated.
(China.org.cn by Wang Ruyue, October 13, 2004)