Chinese province grants women two days’ paid ‘period leave’ a month, but some fear it will lead to workplace discrimination
- Liaoning province in China will grant women one or two days ‘period leave’ each month – but many fear a backlash
- Companies will be required to offer the time off to women with medical proof of severe menstrual cramps
Women who work in the province of Liaoning in northeastern China will be given two days’ leave a month for period pain. The new regulations are part of a government push to improve women’s rights in the workforce, but not everyone believes it will achieve that.
Wei Yiran, 26, fears it will increase discrimination in the workplace and create barriers for women seeking jobs. “My first reaction was that this would make it more difficult for women to find work,” says Wei, 26, a Guangdong-based volunteer teacher who educates young women in rural China.
“Chinese employers have long treated women and their pregnancy as costly burdens. Adding menstrual sick leave, employers might feel hiring women will bring too much hassle,” she says.
The new law, beginning in March 2021, requires companies to offer one to two days leave for employees suffering severe period pain, provided they have medical proof.
If everyone obeys the regulations and respects women, then the new order shouldn’t be a concern
The new regulations sparked heated debate online in China, with many concerned the changes would be detrimental to working women. “Next year, we might see a news piece about a woman getting fired for taking a menstrual sick leave,” said one of the most popular comments on Weibo.
