Labor Law Compliance in China
E-Learning | Certificate Course
The “social” pillar of ESG is gaining increasing importance in China, where companies are expected not only to comply with labor and employment regulations but also to demonstrate broader responsibility toward employees, communities, and supply chain partners. For foreign enterprises, understanding these social dimensions is essential to managing compliance risks, protecting reputation, and building long-term trust with stakeholders.
This certificate course provides a structured overview of the policies, practices, and cultural expectations that define the social aspects of ESG in China. Across four units, the program explores the intersection of labor rights, diversity and inclusion, supply chain responsibility, and community engagement, equipping participants with the tools to navigate both regulatory requirements and societal expectations.
Drawing on case studies from companies such as Apple, Adidas and Nike, the course combines regulatory analysis with practical strategies and real-world examples. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to integrate social responsibility into their ESG strategies in China, balancing global expectations with local realities.
Who should join?
This program is ideal for anyone responsible for HR management, international assignments, legal compliance, organizational governance, or workforce planning involving China.
100% Online delivery
The course is designed to be completed fully online enabling students to continue working during the course.
Literature
The course covers all literature essential to acquiring the fundamental knowledge for intellectual property right protection via Trademarks.
Duration
The standard duration of the course is 4 weeks based on an average time commitment of 4 hours per week.
- Navigate China’s social ESG landscape with confidence, understanding how labor laws, diversity expectations, supply chain responsibilities, and community engagement interact within the regulatory system.
- Identify and mitigate social compliance risks across both internal operations and local suppliers, including labor conditions, contract structures, working hours, and audit vulnerabilities.
- Compare global ESG standards with Chinese cultural and regulatory realities, ensuring that corporate policies are not only compliant on paper but workable in practice.
- Design inclusive and responsible workforce and supply chain strategies, integrating fair labor practices, diversity initiatives, and responsible sourcing models suited to China’s context.
- Build and sustain social license to operate in China, aligning corporate responsibility efforts with government priorities, community expectations, and reputational considerations.
Unit: Introduction The first unit provides an orientation to the course and the online learning environment. The unit does not carry credits. You are encouraged to go through the materials at their own pace to get accustomed to the online medium. |
Unit 1: The Foundations of Chinese Labor Law The first unit introduces participants to the structure of China’s labor law system, emphasizing the interplay between national legislation and provincial enforcement variations. Learners will explore the role of administrative bodies, including the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS), and examine trends in labor law enforcement, particularly in sectors connected to global supply chains. Activities include mapping exercises that compare central regulations with local interpretations, providing participants with a clear understanding of how the legal framework functions in practice. |
Unit 2: Employment Contracts and Legal Risks Unit two focuses on the various types of employment contracts in China, including fixed-term, open-term, dispatch, internship, and outsourced labor arrangements. Participants will learn to differentiate between these contracts and assess the legal risks associated with each, including hidden obligations and potential liabilities. Practical exercises involve reviewing real-world contracts to identify compliance gaps and understand how contract structure impacts day-to-day operations. |
Unit 3: Wages, Overtime, and Workplace Protections |
Unit 4: Compliance Failures and Internal Risk Management |
No specific prior education or knowledge is required to be admitted to this course.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out through a series of written assignments to be completed at the end of course.
Certificate of Completion
A Certificate of Completion is issued upon the successful completion of the course.
Further study
The certificate course Labor Compliance in China is part of the diploma program Employment Strategies in China. Successful completion of the certificate course grants automatic eligibility for admission into the diploma program and confers a full pass for the corresponding module.
Tuition fee
Tuition fee for the entire course is EUR 499 to be paid in advance.
The tuition fee includes all necessary literature and study materials, guidance and support during your studies, free extension of the study duration (if required), and 1:1 contact with your course professor.
Start date
Open enrollment applies to this course. You can start this course at a timing of your own convenience.
How we deliver value
Program completion benefits
Certificate
Upon successful completion of the program, you will earn a digital certificate of completion from the Institute of China Studies.
Note: After successful completion of the online program, your verified digital certificate will be emailed to you in the name you used when registering for the program. All certificate images are for illustrative purposes only and may be subject to change at the discretion of the Institute of China Studies.
Contact us
Would you like more information about the course and the admission requirements? Then request a free study consultation. Of course, free of charge and without obligation. This way you will learn more about the content of the course, the teaching materials, and the online learning environment.
Enroll today
Enroll today and develop essential skills and insights about contracting freelancers in China, which can be directly applied in your professional work environment.