The Shanghai Women's Federation has proposed measures to help young women balance career growth and family responsibilities.

The proposals, announced ahead of the annual sessions of the city's legislative and political advisory bodies, aim to foster a mother-friendly society and ensure more employment and development opportunities for female workers.

In the proposals, the federation suggested reducing the costs associated with childbirth, childcare, and education, and providing more community-based, inclusive childcare services.

To alleviate employment pressure on young women, the federation advocated for mother-friendly job opportunities and flexible work arrangements, creating new flexible jobs tailored to working mothers. It proposed a shared-cost mechanism to subsidize employers' social insurance contributions during female workers' maternity leave.

The federation also called for creating more job positions near female workers’ homes by encouraging business-community partnerships and prioritizing women for community public welfare posts.

Tax incentives were proposed to reduce the maternity costs borne by companies.

The federation proposed granting tax incentives in the form of reduced tax rates, direct exemptions and tax refunds, to enterprises employing a large number of female workers, with more support for small and micro enterprises.

The federation also emphasized the importance of pre-employment training and support for women re-entering the workforce after giving birth, and improved maternity insurance for flexible workers.

It urged gender equality in promotions, awards, and talent development programs.

Source: thepaper.cn