Several Chinese trade unions have recently issued notices to companies to stop inquiring about the marital and childbearing status of female job seekers. This practice has long been used by employers as a way to avoid hiring women who may soon start a family. The notices, which were shared on social media, emphasize that employers should not discriminate based on gender or require pregnancy tests. This move comes as the Chinese government has been pressuring women to get married and have children to address declining population numbers and an aging population.
While the notices have been praised as a step forward for women’s rights, some doubt whether companies will actually adhere to the guidelines. In a country where gender equality remains a challenge, progress has been slow despite efforts by the government to promote childbearing through subsidies, improved child care, and longer maternity leave. Many women still fear falling behind in their careers if they have children and opt to take less than the full maternity leave entitlement.
In the workplace, discrimination against women based on their marital and childbearing status has persisted, despite regulations prohibiting such practices since 2012. Female employees have been expected to lie about their personal lives during the job application process to avoid discrimination. This latest move by trade unions to address this issue has sparked discussions online about the challenges women face in the workforce in China and the need for further action to ensure gender equality.
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