Maternity & Paternity Leaves: Extended Break Granted To New Mothers And Fathers In China

Good news for new and expecting parents in China. The country has extended the allowed period for moms and dads to take a leave after welcoming a new baby. However, there are certain factors that can affect the excess length of time granted to new parents in China. 

In an AAP report published by NT News, it was noted that fathers in Beijing can now enjoy 15 days of paternity leave. On the other hand, those in other parts of the country are entitled to three to 10 days depending on their location.

Meanwhile, moms can go on leave up to seven months if their employer agrees to such duration. This is said to be a month longer than the previously allowed leave period in the country.

Despite having a strict one-child policy in the past years, NT News said couples in Beijing are now allowed to have another child even if they already have children from an earlier marriage. The more relaxed rules are observed as the country continues to have a smaller number of young individuals supporting the older workforce.

Bye bye, one-child policy! China passes revised law, allowing couples to have two children from Jan.1 pic.twitter.com/7EC6Z5DBNo

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) December 27, 2015

Ending the said policy in January this year and allowing parents to have two children, China is still stunned by its effects even until today. Voice of America explained that some parents who had more than one child are now financially challenged with the fines they have to pay the government

"The fines are too much and more than we can afford, which puts a lot of pressure on us," said 36-year-old Fan Ziting. "That's also what keeps us from registering our second child [as a legal citizen]."

The mother gave birth to her first child in 2008 and followed it with three abortions. However, in 2014, she decided to continue with her pregnancy realizing that the China is starting to rethink about its one-child policy.

Nikkei noted that the said policy was indeed able to curb population growth in the country but also lessened the younger workforce in China. It claimed that it will be about two decades for the second babies in the families will reach working age.