The Beijing authorities are soliciting public opinion on a new rule on implementing the national law on the protection of rights and interests of women.
The law states that female employees are entitled to ask their employers to add a sexual harassment free clause in their labor contract, and companies that have not drawn up measures to prevent and stop sexual harassment in workplace should be liable to pay compensation compensation.
The rule states that all employers, educational departments, and public place management units should take effective measures to prevent sexual harassment. If there are complaints of sexual harassment a women employees' commission should conduct an investigation, record the facts and put forward proposals to the relevant department. In addition the Women and Children Work Commission must urge the departments concerned to deal with sexual harassment cases immediately and punish the wrong doers.
The rule also defines sexual harassment as well as the punishment to be imposed to the wrong doers. It says that companies shall be liable for compensation related to sexual harassment.
In addition, the rule states that the retirement time for senior female government leaders and female experts shall be appropriately postponed so as to realize equal rights between men and women and to protect female experts.
Last but not least, the rule says that women deputies shall account for no less than 35% of the total candidates in attending the people's conference at various levels and this proportion is to be increased gradually.
