Several Chinese trade unions have issued notices to companies to stop asking female job seekers about their marital and childbearing status in an effort to combat discrimination against women in the workplace. This practice of requiring job applicants to declare such personal information has long been a way for Chinese employers to avoid hiring women who may be planning to get married or have children in the near future.
The notices, posted on Chinese social media platforms, emphasize that employers should not inquire about or investigate the marriage and childbearing status of female job applicants. Additionally, they should not limit recruitment to men, prefer male job applicants, or require pregnancy tests as conditions for employment. These efforts come as women resist pressure from the government to boost the national birth rate by getting married and having children.
Despite the progress made by these notices, achieving gender equality in the workplace remains a challenge in China. While the government has implemented measures to encourage childbearing, such as subsidies, improved childcare, and longer maternity leave, many women still fear falling behind in their careers if they have children. As a result, some women take less maternity leave than they are entitled to.
While some individuals view the trade unions’ notices as a positive step for women’s rights, others question whether companies will actually adhere to these guidelines and face consequences for violating them. Overall, the issue of gender discrimination and balancing work and family life continues to be a complex and ongoing issue in Chinese society.
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