Draft Beijing municipal government regulations will use packages of 30 days' additional leave and extra benefits to promote later childbirth as well as equalizing the entitlements of migrant workers in the city.

Citizens can give their feedback on this draft before the end of this year on the website of the Beijing Municipal Legal Affairs Office (LAO) at www.bjfzb.gov.cn. The final version of the regulations is scheduled to be published in the middle of 2005.

Kong Fanrong, a senior official from Beijing's LAO, told Beijing News that the aim of the draft is to extend fair levels of compensation and security to more female employees. It makes explicit employers' overall legal responsibilities and regulates details such as insurance calculations and the precise treatments covered.

This is the first time that leave and insurance policies favoring later childbirth are being considered in China. The regulations could also make a significant difference to Beijing's migrant workers since their entitlement will be improved as long as they qualify for state and local family planning policies.

Hospitals could face fines of between 5,000 and 20,000 yuan or even lose their license if benefits go astray. Employers will also risk punishment by labor departments and employees compensated if regulations are violated.

(China.org.cn by Wang Ruyue, October 13, 2004)