Zhejiang Province Extends Marriage Leave to 13 Days

Zhejiang recently increased its paid marriage leave to 13 days from three days, to encourage marriage and support population growth. We introduce the changes stipulated in Zhejiang’s new regulations and provide a complete table of marriage leave across China’s major provinces. 

On September 27, the 12th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th Zhejiang Provincial People’s Congress approved the Zhejiang Province Marriage Leave Regulations (hereinafter referred to as the “Regulations”), extending the marriage leave to 13 days from three days.

According to the Regulations, employees who legally register their marriage are entitled to 13 days of marriage leave, excluding national statutory holidays and rest days. During the marriage leave, employees’ wages, bonuses, and other benefits will continue to be paid by their employers.

In terms of leave management and methods, the Regulations specify three key points:

• First, employers must improve their internal management systems for marriage leave to ensure employees’ rights to take marriage leave and to implement the leave and its benefits.
• Second, employees should take their marriage leave within one year of registering their marriage. If work requirements prevent them from taking the leave within this period, they may, with the agreement of their employer, postpone the leave by up to six months.
• Third, a flexible leave system is adopted, allowing employees to take the leave all at once or in segments, as agreed upon with their employer.

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Notably, to ensure a smooth transition between the old and new leave regulations and to minimize disputes following the implementation of the new rules, the Regulations state that employees who registered their marriage within one year before the implementation of the new regulations and have not yet taken their marriage leave will be entitled to the new 13-day leave. Those who have already taken their marriage leave can supplement it according to the new regulations.

Businesses with operations in Zhejiang province are advised to amend their internal leave policies and employee handbook as soon as possible.

The extension of marriage leave in Zhejiang Province is part of a broader effort to support population growth and address demographic challenges. The province has seen some positive effects from its initial fertility support policies, which have helped to slow the sharp decline in birth rates.

Marriage leave in China

*Granted to those who take pre-marital checkups, which involve being checked for any health conditions that will affect childbirth.

**In Tibet, the extra seven days of local marriage leave are granted to those who comply with the late marriage standards, i.e. 23 years old for females, and 25 years old for males.

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