Jiangsu’s new regulations on childcare leave in 2022: When will they take effect? Does the 10-day parental leave include weekends?

Recently, Jiangsu Province issued the "Implementation Plan of Jiangsu Province on Optimizing Fertility Policies and Promoting Long-term Balanced Population Development", which identified 26 policy measures in six aspects, including organizing and implementing the three-child birth policy and improving the level of eugenics and prenatal care services. What are the new regulations for Jiangsu childcare leave in 2022? When will it be implemented? Does the 10-day parental leave include weekends?

1. What are the new regulations for Jiangsu childcare leave in 2022?

The new regulations on childcare leave in Jiangsu in 2022 are to promote the implementation of the parental childcare leave system for couples who have children in accordance with the policy provisions. Before the child is 3 years old, both husband and wife will enjoy 10 days of childcare leave each year. On the basis of enjoying maternity leave stipulated by the state, the woman’s maternity leave will be extended by 60 days to 158 days, and the man will enjoy 15 days of nursing leave.

In addition, the social insurance fees paid by enterprises during female employees' maternity leave will be reduced or exempted for the fees for financially disadvantaged families to attend nurseries, kindergartens, and schools. For families with only one child before the adjustment of the universal two-child policy, the current reward and assistance systems and preferential policies will continue to be implemented. The specific new regulations are as follows:

1. Maternity subsidy

For the social insurance expenses paid by enterprises during the maternity leave of female employees, a 50% subsidy will be given for the birth of a second child, and an 80% subsidy will be given for the birth of a third child. Priority will be given to employment assistance to female workers who give birth to second and third children.

2. Tuition Fee Reduction

Reduce or exempt fees for admission to nurseries, kindergartens and schools for families in financial difficulties. Local governments can implement differentiated preferential policies for renting and purchasing houses based on the burden of raising underage children.

3. Preferential subsidies for only children

For families with only one child before the adjustment of the universal two-child policy, the current reward and assistance systems and preferential policies will continue to be implemented. When the parents of an only child are over 60 years old and are hospitalized for illness, the only child is entitled to 5 days of paid nursing leave each year. At the same time, the elderly in special family planning families will be identified as a key group and will be given priority in being admitted to public nursing homes and in housing security.

2. When will Jiangsu parental leave take effect in 2022?

The 2022 Jiangsu parental leave will be implemented from February 10th. Because the General Office of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the "Implementation Plan of Jiangsu Province on Optimizing Birth Policies and Promoting Long-term Balanced Population Development" on February 10, 2022, which determined the extension of maternity leave and childcare leave days. The latest policy was updated on March 1, 2022.

3. Does the 10-day parental leave in Jiangsu in 2022 include weekends?

The 10-day parental leave in Jiangsu in 2022 does not include weekends, because parental leave is on working days and does not include holidays, and weekends are public holidays and not working days, so the 10-day parental leave does not include weekends. The cumulative ten days of parental leave can be taken all at once or in multiple installments, which can be agreed upon by the employer and the employee based on actual circumstances. Parental leave and public holidays are covered by different laws and regulations, are not included in each other, and cannot be offset against public holidays.

Summary: Jiangsu's new regulations on childcare leave in 2022 are to promote the implementation of the parental childcare leave system for couples who have children in accordance with policy requirements. Before the child is 3 years old, both husband and wife will enjoy 10 days of childcare leave each year. It will be implemented from February 10th.