Hard task to implement
The survey, conducted by a Beijing-based research center on women, showed 92.1 percent of the respondents supported the idea of paternity leave.
At present, 26 provinces have announced their policies on paternity leave. Many governments across the world, too, have introduced such a leave, with 36 of them stipulating men's rights and responsibilities during their wives' labor and in taking care of mother and child.
But while advocating paternity leave, we should look into the state of maternity leave, too. A survey conducted in Shanghai two years ago showed 58.6 percent of woman workers in foreign-owned companies who had given birth to at least one child didn't apply for maternity leave for fear of losing their jobs to fierce competition. There have been many instances of women delaying or even giving up plans to have a child.
As the global financial crisis sweeps across China, many companies have been using different ways to violate employees' rights of getting leaves, including maternity leave.
Employees who dare to fight for their right to go on leave could end up being paid less or even being fired. The existing legal system cannot protect them against such actions. Under such circumstances, it's a wonder how can paternity leave be introduced.
It's true that paternity leave represents social progress and symbolizes equal rights for men and women, and would fill in the gap of our country's laws. But we have to ensure that the law is enforced forcefully after being introduced.
(China Daily 06/23/2009 page9)
