Correcting job restrictions such as gender discrimination and promoting equal chances for college graduates: SPC – Global Times
Correcting job restrictions such as gender discrimination and promoting equal chances for college graduates: SPC Global Times
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China’s Supreme People’s Court Highlights Significance of Handling Labor Disputes and Contract Cases
People hunt for jobs at the 2024 Beijing large-scale spring on-site job fair on March 30, 2024. The recruitment event brought together 200 enterprises and institutions providing nearly 7,000 job opportunities. Photo: IC
Introduction
China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) emphasized the importance of properly handling labor disputes and contract cases, with a focus on addressing gender and regional discriminations in hiring practices. The court aims to promote equal opportunities for college graduates and ensure compliance with the law.
Statistics
- Courts across the nation handled 590,000 first-instance labor dispute cases and 660,000 first-instance labor contract disputes from January to November this year.
Importance of Handling Labor Disputes and Contract Cases
The proper handling of labor disputes and contract cases is crucial for various reasons:
- Protecting employees’ legitimate rights
- Safeguarding employers’ interests
- Enforcing labor and social security system reforms
- Fostering harmonious labor relations
- Maintaining business stability
- Facilitating the growth of new economic models
Examples of Actions Taken
The SPC cited several examples of actions taken to address labor disputes and contract cases:
- Effectively adjudicating cases of disputes over the right to equal employment
- Rectifying employers’ discriminatory practices, such as gender and regional discriminations in hiring and refusal to sign labor contracts
- Removing unjustified barriers
- Promoting equal employment opportunities and flexible employment through multiple channels for college graduates
Additional Measures
Other measures implemented by the SPC include:
- Implementing equal employment and payment for urban and rural workers
- Improving fast-track procedures for handling wage arrears cases involving migrant workers
- Prioritizing the enforcement of eligible cases for “advance relief”
- Establishing a long-term mechanism for managing wage arrears
- Legally supporting the orderly integration of rural migrant workers into urban work and life
Efforts and Results
Between January and November, courts nationwide handled approximately 1,000 criminal cases of refusal to pay labor remuneration and about 82,000 first-instance civil cases related to labor remuneration disputes. By mid-December, courts at all levels had concluded around 69,000 cases involving migrant workers, recovering 1.72 billion yuan in compensation.
The court effectively implemented the judicial interpretation for criminal cases of refusal to pay labor remuneration, using penalties to punish malicious wage arrears and create a strong deterrent against such actions.
Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security’s Employment Assistance Campaign
In addition to the SPC’s efforts, China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security launched a monthly employment assistance campaign. The campaign aims to help workers facing employment difficulties, members of zero-employment households, and registered unemployed individuals find new jobs and start businesses.
Source: Global Times
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are:
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status
- Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities
- Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards achieving full and productive employment, equal pay, social inclusion, and access to justice.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value | Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all | Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism |
Source: globaltimes.cn
