从单向负担到多元分担:生育假期制度之重塑

From Unilateral Burden to Shared Responsibility:Reconstruction of Maternity Leave System

随着社会少子高龄化程度的加深,作为生育政策重要配套支持措施之一的生育假期制度不断调整,这虽对促进我国人口增长和结构优化具有积极意义,但也极易对女性劳动权益保障产生逆向激励作用。现行的传统单向型生育假期制度模式具体表现为对女性生育责任过度强调所形成的制度思路单向,以及对企业生育责任过度分配所形成的假期成本分担单向。应对该制度模式予以反思,建议向多元参与型生育假期制度模式进行转变:在理念上,强调性别平等以均衡女性和男性之间的家庭生育责任,合理分配企业、国家和社会之间的生育假期负担成本;在实施路径上,通过保障男性休假权利、灵活设置休假安排、合理设计休假长度等实现对生育假期制度的重塑,同时通过完善生育保险制度、加大财税政策支持力度等方式,提供更加全面的配套支持措施,最终实现生育权与劳动权之间的动态平衡。

The maternity leave system,which is one of the key supporting measures of the birth policy,has undergone continual adjustment as there has been a significant drop in the birth rate and a rapid aging of the population.Even though this would be beneficial for the growth of China's population and the optimization of its structures,it could also result in a reverse incentive effect when it comes to the protection of women's labor rights and interests.The current system for maternity leave,on the other hand,is based on the traditional unidirectional mode,which is characterized by a one-way perspective that emphasizes excessively the maternity responsibilities of women,as well as a one-sided burden of costs that is borne heavily by the employers.Therefore,in light of the above,we should reflect on the system and make changes to a multi-involvement mode.Firstly,it is in view of the perceptions,important that gender equality is balanced for the responsibilities in family planning and reproduction between men and women,and that the costs of maternity leave are distributed fairly among the nation,the employers,and society at large;Secondly,the system needs to be reshaped in such a way that maternity rights are guaranteed for men,flexible leave arrangements are set up,and a fair length of leave is imposed,among other things.In the meantime,though,it is necessary to provide more comprehensive measures by improving the maternity insurance system as well as increasing fiscal and tax policy support.This is so that a dynamic balance between reproductive rights and labor rights can eventually be realized.