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China's Sichuan province seeks to offer extended marriage and maternity leave
The Straits Times
|June 06, 2025
The health authorities in China's south-western Sichuan province are proposing to extend marriage leave up to 25 days and maternity leave up to 150 days, to help create a "fertility-friendly society" that boosts the country's population.
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HONG KONG -
The move comes as China's government struggles to boost birth rates in the world's second-largest economy. China's population fell for a third consecutive year in 2024, and experts have cautioned that the downturn will continue to worsen.
Sichuan's Health Commission, which published the draft on its website, is seeking public opinion and comments from May 30 to June 30.
This story is from the June 06, 2025 edition of The Straits Times.
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