Women's Federation recruitment only for men? Ridiculous and illegal!
[4] Compiled from: Red Star News
Case review
Recently, a netizen found that a recruitment notice issued by the Women's Federation in Feixi County, Hefei, Anhui Province, was restricted to men only, and posted a screenshot of this "male-only" recruitment notice online, sparking heated discussion.
On June 8, the Feixi County Women's Federation commissioned Hefei Yuantai Human Resources Management Co., Ltd. to release the "Feixi County Women's Federation Recruitment Staff Announcement." The announcement stated that due to work needs, after research and leadership approval, the Feixi County Women's Federation would openly recruit 2 staff members in Feixi County, with a note in parentheses specifying "male."
On June 14, a staff member of Hefei Yuantai Human Resources Management Co., Ltd. said, "It was originally restricted to male recruitment only." The previously released male-only recruitment notice has been revised, and as long as other recruitment conditions are met, "now both men and women can apply."
Labor Law of the People's Republic of China
Article 3
Workers have the right to equal employment and job selection, to receive labor remuneration, to rest and take leave, to obtain labor safety and health protection, to receive vocational skills training, to enjoy social insurance and welfare, to submit labor dispute handling, and other labor rights stipulated by law.
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[1] Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests
Article 22
[2] The state guarantees that women enjoy equal labor rights and social security rights with men.
[3] Article 23
[4] When recruiting employees, all units shall not refuse to hire women or raise the recruitment standards for women on the grounds of gender, except for job types or positions unsuitable for women.
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《就业促进法》
[2] Article 26
[5] Employers recruiting personnel and employment agencies engaged in intermediary activities shall provide workers with equal employment opportunities and fair employment conditions, and shall not engage in employment discrimination.
Article 27
[6] The state guarantees that women enjoy equal labor rights with men. When recruiting personnel, employers shall not refuse to hire women or raise the recruitment standards for women on the grounds of gender, except for job types or positions stipulated by the state as unsuitable for women. When employing female workers, employers shall not stipulate in labor contracts content that restricts their marriage or childbirth.
[1] The author's perspective
Although the Feixi County Women's Federation later stated that the restriction to male applicants was due to two reasons: first, physical altercations often occur during mediation, and male colleagues can better assist; second, to balance the gender ratio in the office. This reasoning seems plausible but is actually absurd. While most men are physically stronger than women, this job is not exclusively suited to men, so it does not justify the Women's Federation's decision to hire only men. By explicitly stating in this recruitment notice that only men are eligible, this behavior not only infringes on women's right to equal employment with men but also violates the provisions of the three aforementioned laws.
In fact, cases of hiring only men are not uncommon, ranging from small private enterprises to the Fuzhou High-tech Zone government department in 2020, where "male-only" requirements have appeared. Although the State Council has repeatedly emphasized standardizing recruitment practices, stipulating that employers, unless otherwise specified by the state, must not restrict hiring to men or give preference to men, such phenomena persist. This shows that legislation alone cannot solve this problem; what is needed is a change in traditional mindsets. Though the road is long and arduous, progress will come with action.
