Local Guidance in China for Employment Difficulties

Various problematic issues under Chinese labour law have recently been clarified by regional courts and employment arbitration institutions in some of the major cities of China. The clarifications have come as guidance issued in the form of meeting minutes or answers to common issues involved in labour disputes.

The guidance notes are not binding on future court or arbitration cases. However, the guidance relevant regional judicial and arbitral bodies are likely to find the guidance as persuasive. It is also possible that courts and arbitral bodies outside the particular regions will find the guidance to be helpful in their cases. Employers looking to reduce the possibility of future labour disputes should take heed to the guidance.