China's top legislature is considering the public's suggestions
to better protect the rights of laborers and establish a stable and
harmonious relationship between the employers and employees.
The draft law on labor contract was on Sunday submitted to a
legislative session of the National People's Congress (NPC) for the
second reading.
NPC received 191,849 public suggestions during the month after
the draft law was published for public consultation on March
20.
Based on public opinions, the amended draft law has worked out
specific stipulations on the endorsement, implementation and
termination of labor contracts, with an aim to establish a stable
labor relationship.
In regard to the problem that the rights of laborers on
probation are often infringed upon, the new draft law stipulates
that the salary of the probationer should not be less than 80
percent of the lowest salary on the same post.
It also requires that the probation period should not exceed one
month if the validity period of the labor contract is less than one
year, and not surpass six months if the labor contract period is
over three years.
Employees' rights are stressed in the draft law which stipulates
that when the employers make important decisions on issues such as
salary, working hours, vacation, labor safety and health,
insurance, training, labor quotas and disciplines, they should put
their plans on the conference attended by all workers or their
representatives for discussion.
The draft law also focuses on cracking down on illegally docking
or delaying employee's pay.
China's current labor contract system was set in a labor law
enacted 12 years ago. The draft, if it is approved, will be the
country's first law governing contracts.
(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2006)