Child-rearing fund idea draws fire from public

Proposal suggested ways to avoid problem of fewer workers in future

A proposal to set up a family support fund through salary deductions to help cover expenses that come with a second child has drawn a wave of criticism online since it was published on Tuesday.

The proposal - made by two scholars and published in Xinhua Daily, the official newspaper of Jiangsu province - suggested establishing a fund through salary deductions applied to every employee under age 40. The fund would help cover the costs of raising additional children.