Chinese Company Faces Backlash Over Controversial Marriage Policy

A chemical company in Shandong province, China, has sparked outrage after announcing a controversial policy that mandates unmarried and divorced employees to marry by September or face termination. The policy, announced in January, specifically targeted employees between the ages of 28 and 58, urging them to get married in order to increase the number of married employees within the company.

According to the policy, employees who failed to marry by March would have to submit an apology letter. By June, unmarried employees would undergo a performance review, and those who did not marry by September would be dismissed from their positions.

The policy was met with widespread criticism from both the public and legal experts, who argued that it violated China’s labor laws, which prohibit companies from asking employees about their marital status or family planning. Many social media users also voiced concerns over the company’s overreach into personal lives.

In defense of the policy, the company referenced traditional Chinese values, including family responsibilities. However, the intense backlash prompted an investigation by China’s Social Security Bureau. Following the investigation, the company reversed its decision and confirmed that no employee would be fired for not marrying.

This incident comes at a time when China is experiencing a significant decline in marriage rates, prompting local governments to introduce various incentives. For example, in Shanxi province, couples who marry before the age of 35 are offered a reward of 1,500 yuan (approximately $215).