OPINION> Commentary
Subsidy for single child
(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-10-13 07:41

The 5-yuan monthly subsidy for single child families should be raised to keep abreast with the rapid economic growth, says an article in the Beijing News. The following is an excerpt:

A TV program on the Beijing TV Station discussing the unchanged subsides for single child families over the past 30 years has currently aroused wide public attention. Many citizens said the current subsidies are too low and should be raised.

Currently, compared with other components of the monthly salary, the 5-yuan subsidy per month seems to be insignificant. When, 30 years ago, this subsidy was 5 yuan, the monthly salary of a wage earner was around 35 yuan. Then, 5 yuan accounted for a major part of the payroll and had a larger purchasing power. However, the minimum monthly salary in Beijing has reached 800 yuan now; but the subsidies for single child families remain at 5 yuan per month. That's obviously unreasonable.

It's reported that Zhang Dongsheng, a member of the Beijing municipal committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultation Conference (CPPCC), submitted a proposal titled Suggestions on the Adjustment of Subsidies for Single Child Families during the municipal People's Congress and CPPCC sessions held early this year. Zhang said in the proposal that the current subsidy policy can't match the times and thus suggested the subsidies be raised to about 10 percent of the minimum wage standard in Beijing. Moreover, Zhang suggested that medical subsides should be established for the single child who takes care of his or her elderly parents.

With the rapid growth of China's economy, the subsidy for the single child should be raised to encourage more families to abide by the single child policy. It should be a policy to give more monetary incentive than spiritual encouragement.

(China Daily 10/13/2008 page4)