Key provisions (summary of the official text):
• Article 10 — a written labour contract must be concluded when the employment relationship starts; if work begins without one, it must be signed within one month of starting.
• Article 82 — if the employer fails to sign a written contract after one month and up to one year from the start, it must pay the worker double wages for each month.
• Article 19 — probation: up to 1 month (contract of 3 months to under 1 year), up to 2 months (1 to under 3 years), up to 6 months (3 years or more / open-ended). Probation pay must be at least 80% of the agreed wage or the local minimum.
• Article 47 — severance: one month's wage for each full year of service; 6 months to a year counts as one full year; under 6 months is half a month's wage.
• Article 87 — unlawful dismissal: the employer pays compensation at double the Article 47 standard.
👷 Labour law
Labor Contract Law of the PRC · Yalla China
中华人民共和国劳动合同法
Enacted: 2007-06-29 ✅ Effective: 2008-01-01
📝 Overview
Governs employment contracts between worker and employer — signing, probation, termination and severance.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
Practical reading: the written contract is your first shield — the law even penalises an employer who fails to sign one (double wages). If a month passes with no written contract, that works in your favour legally. From day one keep a signed copy of the contract, your payslips and an attendance record — these are your evidence in arbitration. Remember the key numbers: severance = one month per year, unlawful dismissal = double. Always start with labour arbitration (cheaper and faster than court). General orientation, not formal advice.
📎 Official source
https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/natlex2/files/download/76384/CHN76384%20Eng.pdf
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026