The ministries of Personnel and Health are backing calls to end discrimination in the workplace against people who suffer from harmless diseases.

Revised national standards covering health qualifications for public servants were published on websites on Monday.

The revisions say that hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers who do not show symptoms can still apply for jobs in the public service.

Former strict restrictions on eyesight have been relaxed, minor heart problems have been exempted and slight gall-stone problems are no longer obstacles.

The revisions have been drawn up after two drafts were released and the public invited to give their opinions on them.

The first draft listed 22 diseases which used to disqualify people from holding posts in public office. Altogether 3,162 e-mails, 56 letters and numerous phone calls were received about the list, and after a careful review, it was amended.

Medical experts suggest that up to 120 million Chinese people may be carriers of the virus. Most show no symptoms and pose no threat to their colleagues in the workplace. Nevertheless, they often face discrimination in schooling, employment and many other aspects of their lives.

Last April Zhou Yichao, a college graduate and HBV carrier, killed one official and wounded another after they rejected his job application for health reasons.

Zhou was later executed. But the case ignited nationwide discussions about discriminatory hiring rules and the lack of legal redress.

The case prompted reflections on discrimination and some adjustments were made. Many provinces subsequently lifted their ban on non-infectious HBV carriers being employed by government agencies.

The draft was modified after consultation with the public and experts. The new standards will be used by the central government in recruiting public servants. They will also provide a reference point for local government employers.

The Constitution actually says everyone has an equal right to employment but the principle is not enshrined in working practices.

Other discriminatory practices, such as limits on gender, marital status and household registration, should also be addressed.

Things will not improve over night.

But hiring public servants without using health as a determining factor is at least a step in the right direction.

(China Daily November 17, 2004)