Discussing the Gender Equality Bill at a session Monday, they also considered the option of paternity leave. However, many suggested extending maternity leave instead.
The bill is set to be submitted for discussion at the plenary session of the National Assembly (NA), Vietnam’s unicameral legislature, next month.
The retirement age is now 60 for men and 55 for women but the bill includes a clause making it common to all.
However, it was “a preeminent point” that women could retire earlier, which should not be revoked, Vo Thi Hanh Phuc told her fellow legislators.
Therefore, they should have the right to retire five years earlier with their benefits intacts, she said.
Some delegates suggested having a common retirement age but moving it up or down for women in certain professions.
Many also pointed out that the bill seemed to focus on employed women and ignore those from other social backgrounds.
Several provisions only mentioned employed women, they pointed out further.
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