Several provincial regions across China, including Anhui, Guizhou, Henan, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Yunnan, and the city of Tianjin, have issued notices encouraging workers to take paid annual leave.
Henan province suggested that employees combine their paid time off with weekends, short public holidays, and school breaks to create flexible vacations ranging from three to seven days. They also encouraged participating employers to pilot initiatives like allowing employees to leave early on Friday afternoons. Tianjin supported efforts for workers to merge their paid annual leave with other leave types, such as marriage, maternity, and childcare leave, and to explore more flexible or partial leave arrangements.
According to China’s labor law, the standard workweek is eight hours per day, totaling 40 hours a week. Workers typically receive about 13 days off annually, covering statutory public holidays such as Chinese New Year and National Day, alongside paid annual leave based on their length of service.
Employees earn five days of paid annual leave after completing one year of work, with the entitlement increasing to ten days after 10 years of service, and reaching 15 days after 20 years.
The provincial governments are also promoting a cultural shift in the workplace. Tianjin advocates against the notion that dedication to work requires sacrificing leave. Guizhou has told employees not to worry that taking time off could negatively impact their pay, performance reviews, or chances for promotion. Zhejiang condemned excessive and forced overtime practices.
Recently, China’s State Council approved the first-ever five-year plan focused on boosting consumption. This plan emphasizes updating regulations on paid annual leave, enforcing the leave system more strictly, and encouraging workplaces and workers to synchronize leave days with public holidays or local festivals for more extended and flexible vacations. The plan also promotes expanding spring and autumn school breaks in qualified regions.
Already, 14 provinces have adopted extended school break programs. Industry experts believe linking these longer school breaks with parental paid leave could further stimulate family travel and boost consumer spending.