China´s Social Justice Revolution Continues

Article by Martyn Huckerby, Sharon Wong and Maggie Shen

Originally Published 23^rd January 2009

China's social insurance system is currently governed by a multitude of policies and directives at both central and provincial level. On 28 December 2008, the Commission of Legislative Affairs of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) issued a draft of China's first National Social Insurance Law (Draft Law). The NPC is seeking public comment on the Draft Law and the deadline for submissions is 15 February 2009.

According to government officials in the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the PRC, the Draft Law is crucial to domestic employees as it guarantees the basic interests of individuals and ensures social stability. The Draft Law not only consolidates Tentative Regulations on the Collection and Payment of Social Insurance Premiums issued by the State Council in 1999, along with principles set out in other regulations