Chinese Company's Ultimatum: Marry or Face Termination

In response to the Chinese government's concerns over the declining birthrate, some companies are taking drastic actions impacting employees' personal lives.

Directly from Beijing, we report how some private businesses in China are demanding personal sacrifices from their workers to boost population figures.

At Shandong Shuntian Chemical Group, the ideal employee is portrayed as not only committed and ethical but also prepared to contribute to the national interest by expanding their families.

This directive was part of a company memo that recently went viral on social media. The communication instructed employees to marry and have children by the end of September or risk losing their jobs.

The notice from Shandong Shuntian Chemical warned, 'Inability to commit to marriage and family life within three quarters will lead to employment termination.'

Shandong Shuntian is not alone in this endeavor. Just weeks prior, a large supermarket chain urged its employees to forgo demanding traditional bridal gifts to reduce wedding expenses.

Both of these strategies faced considerable backlash, reflecting a broader societal shift among young Chinese who value personal freedom over adhering to conventional family expectations. Many reject both familial and employer intrusion in these matters.

Last year saw only 6.1 million marriages in China—a striking decrease of 20 percent from the previous year, marking the lowest figure since 1986, when such data began to be officially recorded.