Baby boom to leave Chinese companies short staffed

BEIJING: As more Chinese couples are set to have children in 2007, the 'Year of the Golden Pig,' considered auspicious for their offspring, many offices in the country would face staff shortage, the state media reported.

"There are six people in this section, and two are pregnant and expecting to give birth in July," said Zhang Jin, a human resources manager of a Beijing website company.

The pig is one of the 12 animals on the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac, which follows the lunar calendar. According to some fortune-tellers, this year is going to be the 'Year of the Golden Pig' which comes every 60 years.

China strictly follows the one-child per couple family planning policy to control excessive population growth.

According to market researcher, AC Neilson, more Chinese people tied the knot in 2006 than in any other year over the last two decades. A baby boom in this Year of the Golden Pig is sure to follow.

Another survey by the website "China Talent" shows that 66 per cent Chinese companies are not prepared for the sudden loss of employees.

The web survey said that more than half of the women of child-bearing age said they prefer to have a baby this year, as Chinese astrology says people born during the year of the pig are polite, honest, hardworking, loyal and lucky.

"According to Chinese law, a new mother is entitled to at least 90 days maternity leave, plus hospital visits before the birth, breast-feeding leave and other days off. A new mother may be away from her job for more than half a year off, which will put our company under great pressure," Zhang said.

Around 43 per cent of human resources managers said that the baby boom will be their biggest challenge this year. To make the matter worse, about 10 per cent of new mothers say they have considered quitting their jobs after giving birth.

Zhu Weiwei, a manager with a public relations company in Beijing, said that most companies worked out this year's plans late last year. "Now suddenly so many staff have told me they are going to have babies at the same time. I'm totally unprepared."

"I don't think other people will be taking vacations this year," she said.

However, maternity hospitals across China are cashing-in on the likely baby boom.