Chinese labor unions in Hunan and Shenzhen have issued notices urging employers to stop asking female job seekers about their marital and childbearing status. This practice is common in China, where women fear career setbacks if they start families. While the government has introduced incentives to boost birth rates, deep-rooted gender norms remain a challenge. The union notices also call for equal hiring opportunities and protections against workplace discrimination for women. Many online commenters supported the move, though some worried it could lead to fewer job opportunities for women overall.
See "China's unions say employers should not ask female job seekers about marital, childbearing status", Farah Master, Reuters, March 12, 2025