Pregnant teacher out of dilemma between job and abortion

A provincial health watchdog has reversed a county-level decision by allowing a pregnant woman to give birth while keeping her job after the county-level abortion rule triggered online fury, Shanghai Morning Post reported on Wednesday.

Qin Yi, 35-year-old high school teacher working in Libo county in Southwest China's Guizhou province, was ordered on May 12 by county authorities to have an abortion before May 31 or face the sack, although she got a birth permit three month ago at her household registration place.

Qin, five months into pregnancy, has her hukou (permanent residence permit) registered in East China's Anhui province.

The problem arose due to differing second-child family planning rules between her work place and registered residence.

A great number of Internet users showed support for Qin and criticized the county's practice when her dilemma was reported by thepaper.cn and became a hot topic Monday.

In a response, the Health and Family Planning Commission of Guizhou Province ruled Tuesday that the birth permit Qin obtained from Anhui was valid in Guizhou too. The commission made the decision after consulting with the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

It also invalidated the abortion rule from family planning and education authorities in Libo county.

Anhui allows couples in second marriages to have a second child, while Guizhou does not have a specific regulation in this regard and local authorities have the final say.

The case triggered a nationwide criticism and reflection in media, with many voicing their support to make regulations that make life easy.

The contradiction between different local regulations not only puts people in a dilemma, but also harms the credibility of the authorities, Qianjiang Evening News reported.

It may also breed policy loophole, as some couple may immigrate to provinces that welcome second child to deliver, which will put stress on the management due to pressure on population and public resources, the report said.