Calls for more equality in the labor market for women and protests against employment discrimination were made to mark International Women's Day.

"Despite their legal rights to be treated equally as male workers, women usually confront discrimination in job hunting and that has tarnished the vow to build a harmonious society," Meng Xiaosi, vice chairwoman of All-China Women's Federation, told the Chinese People's Political Consultative Congress on Saturday.

Without strict supervision, employers tend to offer positions only for male workers or lift the requirements for female job hunters and turn them down so they do not need to pay extra allowance or holidays for pregnancy, said Meng.

According to a survey by the federation, 56.7 percent of female university graduates felt there were "fewer opportunities" than for male counterparts and the number of urban women job seekers refused by employers was quadruple the amount of males.

The government and relevant authorities should improve the maternity insurance system to cover more women in both urban and rural areas and set up rules allowing male workers extra paid leave to take care of pregnant wives, Meng suggested.

"Stricter supervision of the labor market should be implemented as well as tougher penalties on gender discrimination in employment," said Meng.