This country forces men to pay their wives for household chores in case of divorce

A divorce court in Beijing has ordered a man to compensate his wife for the chores she did during their marriage. The woman will receive 50,000 of them (7700 dollars) for five years' unpaid work.

The case has generated a major online debate on the value of work at home, as some people say the amount of compensation was too small.

According to court records, the man identified as Chen had applied for divorce last year from his wife after they married in 2015. She hesitated to divorce at first, but later demanded financial compensation, arguing that Chen had not taken on any household chores or responsibilities for the care of their son.

Beijing's Fangshan District Court ruled in its favour, ordering Chen to pay the 2,000-juan monthly food obligation, as well as the once payment of 50,000 juans for the chores she has done.

The chairman of the court told reporters Monday that sharing a couple's common property after marriage usually involves sharing tangible property.

“But the housework is an unregulated property value”, the judge said.

The decision was made under the country's new civil code, which went into effect this year. Under the new law, a husband has the right to seek compensation in a divorce if he or she bears more responsibility in raising children, caring for elderly relatives, and helping partners in their work. Previously, divorce mates could seek such compensation only if an unusual practice was signed in China.

In social media, the issue sparked heated debates. Some stressed that 50,000 yeans for five years' work were very few.

I'm a little out of words, the work of a full-time household is being underestimated. In Beijing, hiring a babysitter for a year costs more than 50,000 ya,” said a commentator.

Others stressed that men should take on more household duties in the first place. Some also urged women to continue their career after marriage.

Mom, don't forget to be always independent. Do not give up after marriage, give yourself your choice of”, a social networking user wrote.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Chinese women spend about 4 hours a day working under unpaid jobs approximately 2.5 times that of men. This figure is higher than average in O countries ECD, where women spend twice as much time as men in unpaid labor.