Controversial ‘donate blood for promotion’ school policy ditched after public backlash in China
- A school in China reversed a decision to tie promotions to blood donations after a public backlash last week
- Many questioned the legality of the policy as China forbids forced donations or mandatory orders from employers
A secondary school in northeastern China has cancelled a controversial policy linking the promotion of teachers to blood donations rather than merit after it came under fire, Red Star News reported on January 9.
The Pulandian District No. 11 Middle School in Dalian, Liaoning province, said in early January in an announcement on Weibo that teachers who donated blood would be given priority over others for promotions and awards regardless of merit, triggering an online backlash.
The school also set a blood donor target — aiming to have at least 10 per cent of staff give blood, and stipulated this had to be met by employees aged between 18 and 55 years old.
The policy was criticised almost immediately after it was made public on January 7 for turning a voluntary act of public service into a compulsory task, and for penalising the careers of junior staff and those unable to donate blood for health reasons.
“Following their logic, those who are older and have been promoted to a senior level don’t need to donate. Isn’t this forcing junior teachers to donate?” Said one person on Weibo.
“This is turning a good intention into something evil. My employer used to force all staff to donate money,” said another.