A draft regulation to prolong maternity leave from 90 days to 14 weeks has triggered heated discussion. Some say it protects women's rights. Some worry that it will make it harder for women to find a job. Others say the additional eight days are of little value. China Daily mobile news readers share their views:

I wonder why the media have concentrated on the extra eight days rather than the 30-day reduction in maternity leave for mothers-to-be over the age of 25, since many of urban women tend to get married and have children when they are older. It is better not to adopt policies that try to cater to one problem but neglect another.

Reader, Shanghai

The extra maternity leave proposed, although only eight days more, shows the country's care and concern for female workers and is a good move. As for worries about gender discrimination, relevant departments could introduce a policy that offers fathers-to-be a couple of months paternity leave to help their wives take care of newborn babies, which would relieve the mothers' burden and reduce discrimination at work.

BINGSHANXUELIAN, Rizhao, Shandong province

In my opinion the new regulation is favorable to the protection of women's rights. As long as issues involving their rights and interests are substantially implemented, female workers will feel the benefits of the new regulation. It would become a firm cornerstone of equality by making all new mothers benefit from the policy.

XIAOHAIMIAN, Yangzhou, Jiangsu province

I think it is of no value to prolong maternity leave from 90 days to 14 weeks since whether or not the extra eight days can be taken is debatable. Most of the time, it is not up to employees to make decisions on paid leave, while gender discrimination prevails in the job market.

SARAWXY, Beijing

Under the current employment environment, there is in fact no benefit to extending maternity leave from 90 to 98 days. It would be better to offer the eight days to male workers to spend more time taking care of their wives and babies.

WENWUXIAOZI, Changchun, Jilin province

The starting point of prolonged maternity leave is absolutely good and has shown the country's humanitarianism and its protection for women's legitimate rights and interests. However, we have to admit that there is serious discrimination against female workers in the job market and employers tend to have many concerns about hiring females. The release of this draft will inevitably raise the threshold for women jobseekers, so the loss outweighs the gain.

MUYI, Ningbo, Zhejiang province

It is more reasonable to give the eight-day leave to male workers. It would not have a negative influence on the employment of single or married women without a child, and would provide male workers with more time to take care of their wives, which would not only help build a harmonious family, but also give no excuse for gender discrimination.

XINYEZILANG, Tianjin

The longer the maternity leave the more that both babies and mothers will benefit. We should guarantee more time together for mothers and children, since infants develop quickly and young mothers can learn more about how to be a good mom in those extra days.

XIAOYUER, Beijing

(China Daily 11/28/2011 page9)