File photo.
(ECNS) -- A proposal by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, to delay the statutory retirement age to 65 for all employees by 2045, has aroused wide opposition online.
The proposal says that all female employees would retire at age 55 starting from 2018, and the age will then be increased by one year every three years until 2045. The retirement age for male employees, who can now retire at 60, will be increased by one year in every six until 2045, when both women and men will retire at the age of 65, it added.
Around 80 percent of netizens have expressed opposition, China National Radio reported. A netizen said on Sina Weibo that the working life of women, who have to cope with more family pressure, would be prolonged by ten years and it is quite inappropriate.
Zixiaoyan, a WeChat user, is worried about the impact on child-raising, as most retired grandparents take over the responsibility of career-focused parents.
One woman said she felt great after retiring this year, and suggested a more flexible plan that allows employees to choose their own retirement age between 60 and 65.
Another WeChat user said more specific plans should be made in accordance with different types of jobs.