China has taken a step closer towards giving its 700 million plus workers an average compulsory two weeks paid annual leave.
Under current law, workers are only entitled to paid public holidays for Chinese New Year, May Day, and the National Holiday on October 1st.
However, new regulations will bring workers in line with more than 30 million bureaucrats who are already entitled to the benefit. They are part of a Government plan to boost consumer spending and sustain economic growth.
The new labour laws will give all workers annual paid holidays of between six to 30 days and will take effect within the next five years. According to reports, the State Council is finalising guidelines for implementing the new annual leave scheme.
Officials hope the new benefit will boost worker morale, stimulate domestic consumption, bring the country's labour practices in line with international standards. It is only in the last decade that weekends off were formalised for Chinese workers as part of Labour law. Many Chinese employees work a six-day week.