Chinese women jobseekers told to use hotline to report gender discrimination
- Authorities in eastern city publish reminder of 12338 service ahead of upcoming recruitment season
- Employers ‘should not refuse to hire women or raise the job standards or requirements for women’, it says
With the recruitment season about to get into full swing in an east China city, women jobseekers have been reminded of a national hotline for reporting gender discrimination.
Authorities in Dezhou, Shandong province, issued a statement ahead of a slew of jobs fairs planned for the city over the Lunar New Year holiday, China Women’s News, the official newspaper of the All-China Women’s Federation reported on Monday.
Jobseekers who come across discrimination in recruitment or promotional materials should call the Women’s Rights Protection hotline on 12338, according to the statement, which was issued jointly by the local branch of the federation and the city’s social security bureau.
The number can also be used to report sexism in the workplace, the report said, adding that local women can contact the city’s labour security supervision team if they have a complaint or grievance.
“Creating a fair jobseeking environment and eliminating gender discrimination in recruitment not only establishes harmonious working relationships but also promotes gender equality,” the statement said.
“When recruiting, employers should not refuse to hire women or raise the job standards or requirements for women ... except for jobs specified as not suitable for women according to national law.”
Employers “must create awareness of gender equality, and build a good environment for fair employment”, it said.