Chinese are calling for the resurrection of the long forgotten home leave, after a draft law urges people to visit their ageing parents more frequently. Home leave is a period of approved absence authorized in the 1950s for employees of state agencie and institutions, but is currently poorly implemented. Some people suggest the benefit be renewed and even be turned into a mandate. Experts, however, say trying to adapt a worn-out regulation, last used when people worked 6 days a week with no annual paid leave, will be problematic.

      近日，“常回家看看”被写入老年人权益保障法草案后，“探亲假”这个久被遗忘的名词，开始重回公众视野。“探亲假”源于上世纪50年代，只覆盖国家机关、事业单位员工，目前落实情况不甚理想。有民众呼吁应对探亲假规定予以重修，强制实行；但也有专家指出，探亲假产生于“一周工作6天、无年假”的时代背景，现在实施起来会出现新的问题。

      Xinyi Translation Studio