Introduction To The Book. Anti-Discrimination In Employment Necessitates Law And Action

Abstract

In this chapter, Yuwen Li provides an overview of current employment discrimination in China both in terms of law and practice. The overview starts with an examination of the Chinese legislation which provides general principles of employment equality amongst all citizens, and which prohibits employment discrimination on the grounds of ethnic group, race, gender and religious beliefs. The chapter highlights the challenges in the struggle against employment discrimination, which is a worldwide phenomenon. The development of central concepts, such as direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, preferential treatment and effective remedy, constitutes a first essential condition for the development of a comprehensive system of protection against employment discrimination. These concepts provide safeguards against the intrusion of stereotyped opinions and attitudes in the interpretation of the law. Finally, the chapter re-emphasizes that the success of non-discrimination law and policy depends on public awareness of the necessity of this form of employment equity. Keywords: Chinese legislation; employment discrimination