Tianjin parents get longer child care leave

Parents in Tianjin will be able to spend more time with their newborns through addition child care leave after a revision to the municipal population and family planning regulation was passed by the city's legislature on Monday.

Under the revised regulation, paid maternity leave will be extended by two months, from 98 days to 158 days, and both parents will be entitled to 10 days of paid child care leave every year before their child turns 3.

The revision, which was approved by the Standing Committee of the Tianjin Municipal People's Congress, is intended to bring local regulations in line with the August amendment of China's Population and Family Planning Law.

It followed regulation revisions in Beijing, Shanghai and Zhejiang province last week to extend childcare time.

It also clarified the right of couples to have three children and authorized the municipal and district governments to implement measures related to financing, taxes, insurance, education, housing and employment to ease the burden on families with children.

In addition, it encouraged the opening of nurseries for children under 3 and encouraged rental fee reductions for such nurseries.

The current kindergartens, which enroll children over 3, are encouraged to open classes for children under 3.

The revised regulation took effect immediately.