Chinese company faces backlash for forcing employees to marry or face dismissal

ISLAMABAD: A company in China has come under scrutiny after issuing an unusual ultimatum to its employees – get married by September or face dismissal.

According to a foreign news agency report, the company based in Shandong province caught the attention of authorities when it warned unmarried and divorced employees that they would be fired if they remained single beyond the set date.

As reported by the South China Morning Post, Shandong Chemical Group Co., Ltd. issued a notice to its 1,200 employees, emphasizing the importance of hard work and family building. The notice specifically targeted employees aged 28 to 58 and instructed them to get married by the end of September. Employees who fail to do so by June will be reviewed, and those who are still single at the last minute risk losing their jobs.

The policy sparked widespread outrage on Chinese social media, with users criticizing the company for overstepping personal boundaries. Some pointed out that corporate policies should not override legal or moral principles, while others highlighted that Chinese marriage laws guarantee the right to choose whether or not to marry.

“Companies should stay out of employees’ personal lives,” commented one user, while another commented, “This violates numerous labor laws and ethical standards.”

The controversy has sparked a broader debate over workplace rights and the extent to which employers can dictate employees’ personal choices.