China offers flexible jobs for females after childbirth

Chinese provinces are encouraging businesses to introduce flexible job opportunities for women, dubbed "Mama's Posts," aiming to facilitate a better balance between work and childcare responsibilities, as reported by the official Xinhua news agency on Monday.

With China's population declining for the second consecutive year in 2023 and reaching a record low in births, authorities are striving to incentivize childbirth.

The concept of "Mama's Post" involves tailor-made positions for mothers, offering relatively flexible working hours conducive to managing both work and childcare duties, according to the agency.

The report highlights that many mothers opt out of the workforce for over three years until their children are old enough for daycare, necessitating flexible work arrangements upon reentry.

While the "Mother's Post" model is being explored by numerous employers, the range of job options remains limited, often comprising short-term or temporary contracts, posing challenges in safeguarding women's rights and interests, the report notes.

Many available positions still entail labor-intensive roles in manufacturing and processing industries, predominantly targeting unskilled workers, such as those found in Qingdao, Shandong Province.

Conversely, in the wealthier southern province of Guangdong, authorities are actively promoting this model across various cities, spanning professional, technical, and managerial roles, the agency reveals.

Factors like the high cost of childcare, reluctance to marry or interrupt careers in a traditional society where women are predominantly viewed as primary caregivers, and prevailing gender discrimination contribute to many Chinese women choosing to remain childless.

To counteract declining birth rates, authorities have introduced incentives such as extended maternity leave, financial and tax benefits for parents, and housing subsidies.