Employment Law in China

China’s Labour Contract Law

• Existing law was applied from 1 January 2008.
• A WRITTEN Chinese Labour contract is a MUST for employment relationship.
• The Labour contract should be signed off in ONE MONTH.

 * Penalty of Double Pay if the contract hasn’t been signed-off on time

* E-signature is acceptable

Terms of Labour Contract

• Employer information
• Employee information
• Contract term
• Job description and work location
• Working hours
• Salaries and wages
• Social security
• Health and safety policy
  • Optional: Probation, Training, Confidentiality and other benefits

Types of Labour Contracts

• Fixed-term Labour contracts
• Open-ended Labour contracts
• Labour contract special for some certain tasks

*Employer is REQUIRED to apply Work Visa/ Work Permit/ Resident Permit for expatriate employees before hiring.

Other Key Aspects of China Employment Law

1. Working Hours and Overtime: The standard working hours in China are 40 hours per week, typically 8 hours per day over a 5-day workweek. Overtime work must be compensated according to legal standards:

• • Weekdays: 1.5 times the regular hourly wage.
  • Weekends: 2 times the regular hourly wage, or compensation leave.
  • Public Holidays: 3 times the regular hourly wage. Employers must ensure accurate record-keeping of working hours and overtime to comply with labor laws.

2. Social Security: Employers and employees contribute to social insurance schemes covering pensions, medical insurance, unemployment insurance, work-related injury insurance, maternity insurance, and housing fund. The contributions and benefits are regulated by local governments, and rates may vary by region.

Termination and Severance

Employers must follow legal procedures for terminating employees. Termination can be based on mutual agreement, employee misconduct, or economic reasons. Employers are required to provide:

• Notice Period: Generally 30 days’ notice or one month’s salary in lieu of notice for the situation of employee misconduct and economic reasons.
• Severance Pay: Calculated based on the length of service and average monthly salary. Severance pay helps support employees transitioning between jobs.

Dispute Resolution

Labor disputes can arise from various issues such as contract terms, working conditions, or termination procedures. These disputes are resolved through:

• Mediation: An informal process to reach a mutually agreeable solution.
• Arbitration: A formal process where an arbitrator makes a binding decision.
• Legal Proceedings: Involves court intervention if mediation and arbitration fail.

Employers should establish clear grievance procedures to handle disputes effectively and maintain a positive work environment.

Additional Provisions

China’s employment law also includes provisions for:

• Non-Compete Clauses: Agreements that restrict employees from working with competitors for a specified period after leaving the company.
• Confidentiality Agreements: Protecting sensitive business information from being disclosed.
• Training Agreements: Requiring employees to reimburse training costs if they leave the company within a certain period.

Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance with China’s labour laws is enforced by local labour bureaus. Employers must:

• Conduct Regular Audits: Ensure that employment practices comply with current laws and regulations.
• Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with changes in labour laws and adjust policies accordingly.
• Provide Training: Educate HR personnel and managers on labour law compliance and best practices.

Please note that all the information listed below are to be used as a general guideline. For more detailed accounts of China employment laws and regulations, please visit the official governmental websites.

Updated on: September 2025