Divorce, husband must pay more than 880 million VND in compensation for housework to ex-wife

Ms. Hu married a man surnamed Wang in 2011. That same year, they had a daughter. However, in the following years, they often argued, especially about their child's education.

The couple have been living apart since October 2022, when Hu left their home in Zhengzhou, Henan province, after a major argument with Wang.

In late 2024, Hu filed for divorce at the Zhongyuan District Court. In addition to asking for custody of their daughter and division of joint assets, Hu also asked Wang to pay her 50,000 yuan (over 170 million VND) in compensation for the housework she had done during their marriage.

Hu explained that she had to quit her job to focus on taking care of her family, while Wang failed to fulfill his obligations to his wife and children. She believed that her contributions deserved recognition and compensation.

The court announced its verdict in early March, awarding custody of the daughter to Hu and ordering Wang to pay monthly child support costs.

In addition, Wang was also ordered to pay a one-time payment of 250,000 yuan (more than 880 million VND) to Hu. This amount includes payment for the housework she had done over many years.

"Housework is invisible, but that doesn't mean it's worthless. Housework should be shared between husband and wife," said Fu Saiya, an assistant judge.

China's Civil Code stipulates that one party to a marriage who assumes the majority of responsibility for caring for children, the elderly or doing other household chores has the right to claim compensation from the other in a divorce.

“This regulation affirms the value of housework. It helps encourage family members to participate in housework, promotes mutual respect between husband and wife, and eliminates discrimination against those who do the majority of housework,” Fu said.

The ruling has sparked heated discussion on Chinese social media, with many people supporting the court's decision.

However, some people have a different opinion: "We, men, work as both drivers and bodyguards. Are those jobs worth it?"

The case represents a growing recognition of domestic workers in the Chinese legal system. By awarding five times the amount the woman originally requested, the court not only acknowledged the tangible and intangible contributions of housewives, but also sent a strong message about gender equality in family responsibilities.