REALITY BITES
The proposal of delayed retirement, however, caught national attention after many pragmatic-minded Chinese rushed to pour vitriol on it. On the Internet, opposition runs high over the potential increase in premium payments and occupation of positions for the young.
Xiao Hongjuan, one female deputy from Hubei Province, said the arguments in favor of the delay are only speaking for women in the office, while female laborers may favor just the opposite.
"Many of my co-workers in the assembly line are praying for an earlier retreat, as their increasing age and declining health prevent them from performing well at work," said Li Hongjin, a textile worker and a deputy from Hubei.
Experts say that the divide in public opinion suggests that the real problem behind this feminist debate is the widening income gap.
"If the payment and welfare at work are satisfactory, why are so many people so eager to retire?" asked Wang Jianqiang, researcher with Hebei Academy of Social Science.
"The fact is that the benefits of work for female workers are far lower than for female cadres. That's why they respond to the retirement issue so much differently," said Wang.
One NPC committee earlier proposed a "flexible retirement age" of women, or one that can vary according to circumstances of different sectors and jobs.
The Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee also proposed that women be given the right to decide if they will retire earlier than the standard age.
"The key is to fully respect the needs of women from all social strata," said Wang.
Special Report: NPC, CPPCC Annual Sessions 2011
