A Beijing court has ordered a man to compensate his wife for the housework she did during their marriage, in a landmark decision. The woman will receive 50,000 yuan ($ 7,700; approximately 782,700 ALL) for five years of unpaid work.
The case has sparked a major online debate over the value of working at home, with many people saying the amount of compensation is too small. The decision comes after China introduced a new civil code. According to court records, the man identified by the surname Chen had filed for divorce from his wife, surnamed Wang, after marrying in 2015.
She was reluctant to divorce at first, but later sought financial compensation, arguing that Chen had not taken on any housework or responsibility for caring for their son. Beijing's Fangshan District Court ruled in her favor, ordering her husband to pay the monthly alimony duty of 2,000 yuan, as well as the lump sum payment of 50,000 yuan for the housework she has done.
The presiding judge told reporters that the division of a couple's joint property after marriage usually involves the division of tangible property. "But housework constitutes intangible 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 spouse 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, divorced spouses could seek such compensation only if a prenuptial agreement was signed.
On social media, the issue sparked heated debate. Some users pointed out that 50,000 yuan for five years of work was too little. "I'm a little wordless, the work of a full-time housewife is being underestimated. In Beijing, hiring a nanny for a year costs more than 50,000 yuan," one commenter said.
Others stressed that men should get more homework in the first place.
Sources: BBC, CNN
