Are you aware of the latest labour law updates in China? We highlight the essential changes that took place in January 2024 that you should pay attention to across the key states in China!
1. New Minimum Wage
| Location | Effective Date | Minimum Wage per Month (RMB) |
| Zhengzhou, Henan Province | January 2024 | 2,100 |
| Luoyang, Henan Province | January 2024 | 2,100 |
2. The Work Injury Insurance
Anhui Province
Anhui Province has issued a notice regarding the adjustment of work-related injury insurances and benefits. The adjustments have been made to enhance the disability allowances and death grant for individuals who have suffered work-related injuries in the province. All entities are required to promptly implement these adjustments and report the details by January 31, 2024.
This adjustment specifically applies to employees or family members currently receiving monthly disability allowances and death grants as per existing regulations before December 31, 2022. The adjustment standards are as follows:
Minimum Disability Allowances
- Disability Grade 1 increased by RMB136 per month
- Disability Grade 2 increased by RMB128 per month
- Disability Grade 3 increased by RMB121 per month
- Disability Grade 4 increased by RMB113 per month
- Disability Grade 5 increased by RMB90 per month
- Disability Grade 6 increased by RMB70 per month
After the adjustment, for those with disability allowances grade 1 below RMB3,390, grade 2 below RMB3,202, grade 3 below RMB3,013, and grade 4 below RMB2,825, the benefits should then be adjusted according to the above-mentioned standards.
Death Grant
- The spouse receives an additional RMB68 per month
- Other relatives receive an additional RMB58 per person per month
- Elderly widows or orphans receive an additional RMB30 per person on top of the above-mentioned standards.
For those whose monthly standard for providing family allowance and condolence money before the adjustment is below RMB1,433, an initial increase of RMB20 will be made (if it exceeds RMB1,433 after the increment, it will be capped at RMB1,433), and subsequently, it will be recalibrated following the aforementioned procedure.
Fujian Province
Fujian Province has issued a notice regarding the adjustment of work-related injury insurances and benefits. The Province has decided to uniformly adjust and appropriately increase three types of regular benefits for insured employees who have suffered work-related injuries in the province, including disability allowances, death grant for dependents, and living care allowances.
This adjustment specifically applies to employees who have been receiving monthly disability allowances (excluding those who have suffered work-related injuries and been receiving retired allowances), living care allowances and death grants as per existing regulations before December 31, 2022. The adjustment standards are as follows:
Minimum Disability Allowances
- Disability Grade 1 increased by RMB179 per month
- Disability Grade 2 increased by RMB175 per month
- Disability Grade 3 increased by RMB172 per month
- Disability Grade 4 increased by RMB168 per month
The disability allowances for employees who have suffered grade 1 to 4 work-related injuries will be adjusted according to above-mentioned standards. If the adjusted allowance is below RMB3,159 per month, it shall be issued at the standard of RMB3,159 per month.
For employees who have suffered grade 5 to 6 work-related injuries, are receiving monthly disability allowances, and maintaining labour relations with the employer, the adjustment standard for their disability allowances shall be implemented according to the methods specified in the “Regulations on Work Injury Insurance.” Employers shall refer to the adjustment standards of the grade 1 to 4 disability allowances in this notice for employees who have suffered work-related injury within the grades. The required funds shall be disbursed from the original channel.
Living Care Allowances
- If the allowances for employees who are unable to care for themselves is lower than RMB3,795/month, the standard of RMB3,795/month should be paid.
- If the allowances for employees who have limited ability to care for themselves is lower than RMB3,036/month, the standard of RMB3,036/month should be paid.
- If the allowances for employees who are partially unable to care for themselves is lower than RMB2,277/month, the standard of RMB2,277/month should be paid.
Death Grant
An increase of RMB59 per person per month. Elderly widows or orphans receive an additional RMB50 per person on top of the above-mentioned standards.
3. Increase in the Maximum Contribution Base of the Housing Provident Fund
| Location | Effective Date | Maximum Contribution Base of the Housing Provident Fund (RMB) |
| Shiyan, Hubei Province | January 2024 | 22,183 |
4. Ethnic Minorities’ Public Holidays for 2024
The public holidays of the following two regions have been adjusted. If employees work on these holidays, they shall be entitled to overtime payments.
Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
The specific arrangements for festivals and seasons scheduled in 2024 are as follows:
| Festivals | Statutory Holidays |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 is a holiday, extending the break to the weekend. |
| Chinese New Year | From February 10 to 17, there will be an 8-day holiday. February 4th (Sunday) and 18th (Sunday) are set as working days. All entities are encouraged to make arrangements for employees to take a break on New Year’s Eve (February 9). |
| Ching Ming | From April 4 to 6, there will be a 3-day holiday. Work will resume on April 7 (Sunday) |
| Rouzi Festival | April 10 is the Rouzi Festival, and it is a holiday for one day. |
| Labour Day | From May 1 to 5, there will be a 5-day holiday. April 28 (Sunday) and May 11 (Saturday) are set as working days. |
| Dragon Boat Festival | June 10 is a holiday, extending the break to the weekend. |
| Eid al-Adha | June 17 is the Eid al-Adha Festival. From June 17 to 19, there will be a 3-day holiday, extending the break to the weekend. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | From September 15 to 17, there will be a 3-day holiday. September 14 (Saturday) is set as working day. |
| National Day | From October 1 to 7, there will be a 7-day holiday. September 29 (Sunday) and October 12 (Saturday) are set as working days. |
| Seasons | Working Hours Holidays |
| Summer | The summer schedule will start from May 1, 2024. Working hours are: 10:00 to 14:00 in the morning and 16:00 to 20:00 in the afternoon/evening. |
| Winter | The winter schedule will start from October 1, 2024, and the working hours are: 10:00 to 14:00 in the morning, and 15:30 to 19:30 in the afternoon/evening. |
Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
The specific arrangements for festivals and holidays in 2024 are as follows:
| Festivals | Statutory Holidays |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 is a holiday, extending the break to the weekend. |
| Chinese New Year | From February 10 to 17, there will be an 8-day holiday. February 4th (Sunday) and 18th (Sunday) are set as working days. All entities are encouraged to make arrangements for employees to take a break on New Year’s Eve (February 9). |
| Ching Ming | From April 4 to 6, there will be a 3-day holiday. Work will resume on April 7 (Sunday) |
| Eid al-Fitr | From April 10 to 11, there will be a 2-day holiday. |
| Labour Day | From May 1 to 5, there will be a 5-day holiday. April 28 (Sunday) and May 11 (Saturday) are set as working days. |
| Dragon Boat Festival | June 10 is a holiday, extending the break to the weekend. |
| Eid al-Adha | June 17 is the Eid al-Adha Festival. From June 17 to 19, there will be a 3-day holiday, extending the break to the weekend. |
| Mid-Autumn Festival | From September 15 to 17, there will be a 3-day holiday. September 14 (Saturday) is set as working day. |
| National Day | From October 1 to 7, there will be a 7-day holiday. September 29 (Sunday) and October 12 (Saturday) are set as working days. |
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