In Jiangsu province, the Tongzhou district procuratorate in Nantong has taken legal action against 16 companies for conducting pregnancy tests on female job applicants, a violation of China's anti-discrimination laws. The investigation was initiated following a tip-off and involved two hospitals and a physical exam center, revealing 168 such tests were performed.
Prosecutors have alerted the local bureau of human resources and social security, which has issued warnings to the offending companies and medical institutions. Companies found guilty of sex discrimination can face fines up to 50,000 yuan if they do not rectify their practices. Although the report did not specify whether fines were imposed, it highlighted a case where a pregnant applicant was initially rejected but later hired with compensation after the company was admonished.
The law in China prohibits mandatory pregnancy tests during pre-employment screenings, as it infringes on women's rights to equal employment opportunities. Despite legal protections, concerns over maternity benefits costs lead some employers to seek covert methods of discrimination, including incomplete salary payments during maternity leave.
While the law varies by province, new mothers in China are generally entitled to six months of maternity leave, and other forms of discrimination, such as preference for male candidates or inquiries about marital status, are also prohibited. The Nantong case underscores the ongoing challenge of enforcing equal opportunity in the workplace.
Editor: CH
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