New policy measures were released yesterday addressing ways to promote a "long-term and balanced" approach to tackle's China's low fertility rate, in light of the government's announcement of lifting the two-child restriction back in May:
"The government said it would exempt the costs of raising a child under the age of three from personal income tax and encourage local governments to offer families with children preferential policies when buying and renting homes.
China also said it would boost the supply of affordable child-care services, a move to address a common complaint among parents and would-be parents.
Officials also said they would encourage local governments to start pilot programs offering 'shared parental leave' for employees and support companies that introduce such policies—an apparent response to widespread perceptions that women must choose between motherhood and the pursuit of a career.
Chinese law forbids employers from making hiring decisions based on marital status, but female job candidates frequently say they are quizzed on their plans for marriage and childbearing, which they say discourages them from having children.
According to the document, authorities also will stop levying fines on people who had violated earlier family-planning policies and remove penalties imposed on people for having too many children, including obstacles in securing jobs and enrolling children in school..."
This appears to be a draft document by China's cabinet in Beijing. No specific timeline as to when above-mentioned labor protection measures for women would come into effect. The ruling party's cognizance of the People's complaints regarding the high costs of raising/educating their children is a good start.