A delegate to the National People's Congress is calling for a dramatic increase in the number of paid maternity leave days available to Chinese women.

Wang Youjun, a Beijing delegate to the Congress, wants paid maternity leave to last for three years.

According to Youjun, the increased time would improve the health of Chinese children. Social programs and supplemental funding would pay for the extended maternity leaves, he said.

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A man on a self-proclaimed mission, Wang has stated that his business experience as chairman of Watchdata System in Beijing showed him the challenges faced by women returning to the workforce after leaving to have a child.

At three months, babies still make it difficult for women to maintain a business routine and get enough sleep, among other challenges, according to Wang. Children need three years to grow sufficiently for mothers to return to work, he added.

However, opponents claim that China's economy and social fabric can't support women on such long extended leaves. They also contend such a leave program would deprive women of access to equal rights.

Currently, existing social programs handle costs for the 98 paid leave days with cost gaps covered by additional insurance. China has more than 18 million births annually.

China's 98 days of paid leave is in compliance with International Labor Organization guidelines. However, some companies, according to China Labour Bulletin, a labor rights organization headquartered in Hong Kong, ignore maternity leave labor laws.

Paid maternity leave is a staple of life in 173 nations, including China. A UN Women "Progress of the World's Women" report issued in 2012 found a wide variety of maternity leave policies.

Sweden has the most such paid leave at 480 days while Japan offers 98 days. Hong Kong has 70 paid maternity leave days and India has 84.

Tagschina maternity leave, wang youjun, maternity leave laws china, social programs china