Editorial: Paid leave shouldn't be a luxury

• Source: Global times
• [09:03 June 29 2009]
• Comments

Many of us may already have a destination in mind for this summer's vacation to escape the scorching sun, dry air, and mundane work. But it is worth a reminder that paid leave is far from a universal benefit in China.

Various labor laws and regulations have clearly made paid leave a mandatory benefit.

For example, the Regulations on Paid Annual Leave for Employees, which was adopted by the State Council and went into effect January 1, 2008, stipulated that employees who have worked continuously for one year or more are entitled to paid annual leave. Employers are to guarantee employees this right, which applies to government agencies, public and private companies.

But in practice, the benefit has become optional. For a long time, full devotion to work, including long working hours, has been tacitly encouraged by the government to the extent that voluntarily working overtime or giving up annual leave are considered signs of a model worker. There seems to be low public awareness of the right workers have to paid leave.

Even though the government is now working hard to improve labor welfare, paid leave is still a luxury for many laborers. The choice between a brief relaxing vacation and job security is not hard to make.

When companies openly violate the rule, employees don't have many bargaining chips in light of the dire job situation. Given the current economic crisis, laborers have to cling to their current jobs more tightly.

And even among those who have been granted the right to paid leave, not all enjoy a vacation. To them, a vacation is a waste of time and money. Some prefer to moonlight during the holidays. The dream of having more money and a better life leads many to work non-stop.

Chinese companies, which have been famous for driving prices down, have few incentives to implement the paid leave regulations.

Profits are already extremely thin and offering employees any more perks could mean bankruptcy for some businesses.

Everybody loves the beach and sunshine, but future uncertainty and fierce job competition have prevented many Chinese laborers from enjoying the relaxing paid leave that a long time ago became widely accepted in developed countries.

While we applaud our “world factory” crown, and cheer at China's ascending status, few think of the toll the process has taken on ordinary Chinese.

Despite the government's goodwill in giving workers time for leisure, current regulations and laws regarding paid leave are lacking necessary power. It's time for the government to strengthen enforcement of labor laws. Even more importantly, it's time to re-think China's growth model.

Paid leave should not be a luxury: every worker is entitled to it.