独生子女带薪护理假(dúshēng zĭnŭ dàixīn hùlĭ jìa): Paid to care for aged parents in hospital

The newly revised Henan Provincial Population and Family Planning Ordinances stipulate that an only child of a family can enjoy up to 20 days paid vacation every year to take care of their hospitalized parents above 60 years old, according to local reports.

As China's society is aging, only children face great pressure to support their aged parents. The Lawon Protection of Rights and Interests of Seniors stipulates that children should frequently visit their elderly parents, and the employers should guarantee employees' legal right to take vacations and visit their parents.

An official of Henan Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission said the only child of a family is the only one who can look after his or her aged parents when they get sick, and the paid vacation aims to provide support to one-child families and help them cope in such a situation.

The vacation is not only a positive attempt to deal with the aging society issue, but also a policy that promotes filial piety in society, and it has won-wide public recognition.

However, whether the policy can take effect depends on its implementation. The authorities should make more efforts to supervise enterprises and strengthen the social security mechanism.