Although some representatives have raised bills to change the different retirement ages for men and women, China's top legislature has no plans to make legislation regarding this issue, said sources with China's National People's Congress (NPC).

The Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee of the tenth NPC decided not to address the legislation regarding this issue, said its chairman He Chunlin, who was at the fifth meeting of the tenth NPC Standing Committee to elaborate the proposal to top legislators.

In the first session of the tenth NPC this March, more than 100 representatives raised four proposals calling for the same retirement ages for men and women.

According to current government rules, professional women working for government institutions and companies are required to retire at 55 while men retire at 60, and female blue-collar workers quit work at 50 while men retire at 55.

The difference in retirement age sometimes stops women from enjoying equal rights, especially for women with high education working in government institutions. With the development of Chinese society, more women have developed their own careers and do not want to retire earlier than men.

But there are still many women earning low wages in backward areas who are reluctant to retire at the same age as men, because they can earn almost as much after retirement.

Because all walks of society in different areas have different ideas on retirement ages, the Committee thought it was not time to make legislation to change the current policy, said He.

He said his Committee made the decision after seriously deliberating the bills and conducting relevant investigations, but would seriously consider the suggestions of representatives during other legislations.

The Committee may reconsider the bills according to the reform of social insurance and employment policies in the future, said He.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2003)