CRI听力: Introducing Paternity Leave a Hard Task to Implement

A recent proposal in China to introduce paternity leave could dramatically change the traditional notion that it is the women's responsibility to care for a child.

An article in the China Daily says although the proposal has many merits, it has a long way to go before it can be introduced.(www.hXen.com)

Although the article advocates paternity leave, it says we should look into the state of maternity leave as well.

A survey conducted in Shanghai two years ago showed nearly 60 percent of female employees of foreign-owned companies didn't apply for maternity leave after having a child for fear of losing their jobs. The article did not say who preformed the survey. Due to fierce competition, many other women have delayed or have completely given up plans to have a child.

The article says similar to other forms of paid leaves and labor rights, both maternity and paternity leave is a right that workers should be entitled to. In practice, however, societal imbalances of labor and capital makes the drive for money violate even basic labor rights, such as annual paid leave.

The paper questions if, under current circumstances, women can't be assured maternity leave, how can we expect paternity leave to be well implemented?

In conclusion, the article notes the most urgent need is not more entitlements, but efforts to foster a balanced relationship between labor and capital. The article says people need to apply pressure to change the understanding of capitalism to include basic labor rights.