Unions call for better protection of female jobseekers, employees

Employers warned against biased hiring and unfair treatment of women

Several provincial trade unions in China have called for fairer treatment of female jobseekers and employees to better protect women's labor rights, promote gender equality and foster more harmonious workplace relationships.

The Hunan Federation of Trade Unions recently issued an online reminder warning employers against posting job openings exclusively for men or giving male candidates priority in hiring.

The notice also stated that employers should not ask female jobseekers about their marital or childbearing status, investigate their family plans or require pregnancy tests as part of pre-employment health screenings. A woman's gender, marital status or fertility status should not be grounds for denying her a job, it said.