New insurance law covers foreign employees

Edited and Translated by Han Shasha, People's Daily Online

According to the draft interim measures released by China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, foreign employees in China are entitled to enjoy social insurance benefits as Chinese nationals.

The "Draft Interim Measures for the Participation in Social Insurance of Foreigners Employed in China" was released on Sept. 6 and is set to take effect on Oct. 15, 2011.

Foreigners covered in this interim measure refer to foreign employees who have the Foreigner Employment Permits, Foreign Experts Certificates, Press Card for the resident foreign journalists and those who own Permanent Residence Certificates in China.

The interim measures specifies that foreigners who are legally employed by enterprises, public institutions, social groups, privately-owned non-enterprise units, foundations, law firms and accounting firms that have been registered or recorded in line with the laws in China are required to participate in the following types of insurance: basic pension insurance, basic medical insurance, work-related injury insurance, unemployment insurance and maternity insurance. The employing units and individuals must pay the social insurance premiums in accordance with relevant regulations.