China: Company makes women 'apply' to have children

Reports that a company in north-east China is making female staff "apply" to have children have prompted lively debate on social media. Women at a business in Changchun city, Jilin Province, are now required to tell bosses a year in advance that they plan on having a baby, according to the state-run New Culture newspaper. The report, which has been widely shared in official nationwide media, says managers at the unnamed firm hope that making a "timetable" for maternity leave will prevent short-staffing. It does not say whether bosses can refuse requests. Read more