Are you aware of the latest labour law updates in China? We highlight the essential legal changes you should pay attention to across the key states in China!
Increase in Minimum Wage
| Location | Effective Date | Minimum Wage per Month (RMB) |
| Kunming, Yunnan Province | October 2025 | 2170 |
| Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region | October 2025 | 2235 |
| Dezhou, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2020 |
| Jinan, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2400 |
| Jining, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2210 |
| Linyi, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2210 |
| Qingdao, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2400 |
| Weifang, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2400 |
| Weihai, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2400 |
| Yantai, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2400 |
| Zibo, Shandong Province | October 2025 | 2400 |
Increase In the Contribution Base Cap of Non-Taxable Housing Fund
| Location | Effective Date | Contribution Base Cap of Non-Taxable Housing Fund (RMB) |
| Yancheng, Jiangsu Province | July 2025 | 31133 |
| Changchun, Jilin Province | September 2025 | 28949 |
Updates to Work-Related Injury Insurance Benefits
Shanghai City
According to the latest notice issued by the Shanghai Municipal Government, the standards for disability and living care allowances will be adjusted. The new standards will take effect on 1 October 2025, and remain valid until 30 September 2027. This adjustment applies to employees who have suffered work-related injuries and began receiving disability allowances before 31 December 2024, as well as dependents of employees who passed away due to work-related injuries and are currently receiving survivor’s benefits. The details of the adjustment plan are as follows:
- Disability Allowance Adjustment Standards:
- Disability Grade 1 increased by RMB56 per month
- Disability Grade 2 increased by RMB51 per month
- Disability Grade 3 increased by RMB48 per month
- Disability Grade 4 increased by RMB45 per month
- Living Care Allowances
- Person who is unable to independently care for oneself will receive an additional RMB63 per month.
- Person who has limited ability to take care of oneself will receive an additional RMB51 per month.
- Person who is partially unable to take care of oneself will receive an additional RMB38 per month.
The adjusted standards for daily living care allowances are as follows: RMB 6,217 per month for those unable to independently care for themselves, RMB 4,974 per month for those mostly dependent, and RMB 3,731 per month for those partially dependent.
- Basic Pensions
For retired employees with work-related injuries at Grades 1 to 4, it is advised to first calculate the additional disability allowance under this notice. If the amount is lower than the 2025 pension increase, the pension increase will apply instead.
Tianjin City
According to the latest regulations issued in the Tianjin Province, the standards for work-related injury insurance benefits will be adjusted in 2025. The new standards will take effect on 1 January 2025, and will apply to employees who suffered work-related injuries and began receiving relevant benefits before 31 December 2024, as well as to dependents of employees who passed away due to work-related injuries. The adjustments are as follows:
- Disability Allowance Adjustment Standards
- Disability Grade 1 increased by RMB124 per month
- Disability Grade 2 increased by RMB114 per month
- Disability Grade 3 increased by RMB104 per month
- Disability Grade 4 increased by RMB94 per month
If an employee suffers a work-related injury classified as grade five or six and receives a monthly disability allowance from their employer, the employer must make up the difference if the allowance amount is lower than the city’s minimum wage standard.
- Disabilities Allowances For Retired Employees
- Disability Grade 1 increased by RMB60 per month
- Disability Grade 2 increased by RMB50 per month
- Disability Grade 3 increased by RMB40 per month
- Disability Grade 4 increased by RMB30 per month
The adjusted allowance for retired employees with work-related disabilities are as follows: RMB4,643 for grade 1 disability, RMB4,441 for grade 2, RMB4,239 for grade 3, and RMB4,037 for grade 4.
- Survivor Pensions For Dependent Relatives
- Spouse will receive an additional RMB46 per month. The minimum pension is RMB1,957.
- Other dependents will receive an additional RMB35 per month. The minimum pensions is RMB1,467.
Jiangsu Province
Jiangsu Province has recently issued a notice on the 2025 adjustment of work-related injury insurance benefits, effective 1 January 2025. The adjustment mainly applies to employees who had suffered work-related injuries and already received the benefits, as well as dependents of employees who passed away due to work-related injuries before 31 December 2024. The updated standards are as follows:
- Disability Allowance Adjustment Standards
- Disability Grade 1 increased by RMB118 per month
- Disability Grade 2 increased by RMB109 per month
- Disability Grade 3 increased by RMB106 per month
- Disability Grade 4 increased by RMB104 per month
The monthly disability allowance for employees with grade five or six work-related injuries will be increased by 2%. However, the adjusted amount must not exceed the maximum allowance adjustment applicable to employees with grade four work-related injuries.
- Living Care Allowances
- For individuals who are completely, mostly, or partially unable to care for themselves, the monthly nursing care allowance will be increased by 1.34% based on the original amount.
- Employee who is unable to independently care for oneself will receive no less than RMB4,175 per month.
- Employee who has limited ability to take care of oneself will receive no less than RMB3,340 per month.
- Employee who is partially unable to take care of oneself will receive no less than RMB2,505 per month.
- Survivor Pensions For Dependent Relatives
The monthly survivor’s pension for dependents of employees who died due to work-related causes will be increased by RMB40 per person.
Updates on Elderly Care Leave Policies
Shanghai City
According to the latest announced Regulations of Shanghai Municipality on the Protection of Elderly Rights and Interests, effective 1 November 2025, caregivers are entitled to apply for elderly care leave when the elderly person is hospitalized. The specific provisions are as follows:
- Non-only child caregivers are entitled to up to 5 working days of leave per year.
- Only children born during the period when the state implemented the one-child policy are entitled up to seven working days of leave per year.
- During the leave period, employers shall treat it as normal working time and continue to pay wages accordingly.
Qinghai Province
Qinghai Province has recently issued the Regulations on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of the Elderly, which will take effect on 1 December 2025. The regulations comprehensively cover areas such as family support, social security, social services, and preferential benefits. The regulations state when an elderly person is hospitalized, the employer of their children must grant caregiving leave based on a hospitalization certificate issued by a medical institution. Only children are entitled to a total of 20 days of caregiving leave per year, while non–only children may take up to 10 days per year. Wages and benefits shall remain unaffected during this period.
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