In an era of drastic changes, it is unusual to see "provisional" regulations enacted 30 years ago to remain in force even today, especially when millions count on these provisions to secure their futures post-retirement.

It is definitely peculiar that such provisions, once deemed protective of women, have attracted criticism as being discriminative. These relate to regulations regarding the retirement ages of men and women.

On June 2, 1978, the Provisional Methods of the State Council on Placement of Senior, Weak, Sick or Disabled Cadres and the Provisional Methods of the State Council on Retirement or Resignation of Workers were both promulgated. The former regulation set the age of retirement of women cadres at 55 while the latter set 50 as the age of retirement for women workers. According to both the "provisional methods", the age of retirement for men was capped at 60.