China proposes insurance coverage for post-retirement employees

Employers must provide suitable roles based on older workers’ skills.

China has proposed its first regulation to safeguard the rights of people working beyond retirement age, with a focus on workplace protections and insurance coverage, as reported by China Daily. 

The draft, issued by five central departments including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, is open for public consultation until 31 August.

Under the proposal, employers must provide suitable roles based on older workers’ skills and sign written agreements covering duties, hours, pay, benefits, and workplace safety. 

They will be required to pay at least the local minimum wage, avoid assigning hazardous work, and provide occupational safety training. 

Post-retirement employees will also be covered by job-related injury insurance.

China began phasing in a higher retirement age in January, moving the male retirement age from 60 to 63 and the female retirement age from 50 or 55 to 55 or 58 over the next 15 years. 

By the end of 2024, the country had 310.3 million people aged 60 and above, or 22% of its population.