Women workers in northwest China to get time off for painful periods

Female employees in northwestern China are being granted “period leave” as part of the local government’s move to improve labour protection measures for women in the workforce.

Women in Ningxia can now apply for up to two days’ leave each month if they are unable to work because of pain they experience during menstruation, Shanghai-based news portal Thepaper reported on Monday.

Female workers are important forces to drive society forward, for they give birth to another generation while contributing to society, the official document said, and granting special protection to female workers is a sign of social and civil progress.

Female workers could not be fired, have their salaries reduced or promotions restricted solely because of getting married or becoming pregnant, giving birth or breastfeeding, according to the document.