SHANGHAI – China’s new policy allowing families to have two children, up from one, has been reverberating across the country as municipalities race to help expectant mothers stay in the workforce, then look after their newborns.
Female workers in China are entitled to up to 98 days of maternity leave. But already at least 13 local governments have decided to give moms additional days off, ranging from 30 more to 80 more, according to Chinese media reports.
This city of almost 25 million earlier this month revised its ordinance to give an additional 30 days of maternity leave above the 98 called for by the central government. The ordinance also allows male workers to take up to 10 days of paternity leave.
In Fujian Province, mothers can take up to 180 child-bearing days, while dad can take 15 days after a baby is born.
Shanxi Province, meanwhile has introduced a measure to encourage people to tie the knot. One enticement is mandating that employers give newlyweds 30 extra holidays to play with. In addition, new mothers will be guaranteed 158 days of maternity leave, according to Chinese media reports.
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