Shaanxi to introduce one year maternity leave

The Chinese province of Shaanxi is planning to extend paid maternity leave to just under a year. The proposal is intended to increase the birth rate. So far, mothers are entitled to 168 days of maternity leave. Extending it by another six months would put Shaanxi’s standard on par with Germany and Norway, Reuters reported. The province is also pursuing plans to double paternity leave to 30 days for the third child, according to the report.