Officials of the General Office of Hunan (in Central China) Provincial Government promulgated the measures to strengthen the special labor protection of female employees in December 2019. The measures, which will take effect on March 8 (International Women's Day), 2020, stipulate employers should protect women's rights and interests, especially during their "three periods" (pregnancy, giving birth and breastfeeding). The regulations are intended to showcase society's respect and care for women, and to promote the construction of a harmonious society.

In accordance with the measures, women will be allowed 98 days of paid maternity leave. Upon their employers' approval, their maternity leave can be extended until their babies are one year old. Also, for a couple who gives birth in compliance with China's laws and regulations on childbirth, the wife may have an additional 60 days of maternity leave.

The measures contain information about how to better protect the rights of women employees, especially pregnant and lying -in women. For example, pregnant women should not perform dangerous work or be assigned jobs that might adversely affect their health, such as logging and underground mining.

In addition, the measures stipulate employers should protect their women employees against sexual harassment (in the workplace). The measures also stipulate employers should protect the women's privacy when the employers handle cases involving sexual harassment against their women employees.

(Women of China English Monthly January 2020 issue)