Several Measures to Further Leverage Headhunting Agencies in Talent Introduction and Intelligence Integration for Development of Professional and Internationalized Human Resources Market (Trial)
On December 17, 2018, the Several Measures to Further Leverage Headhunting Agencies in Talent Introduction and Intelligence Integration for Development of Professional and Internationalized Human Resources Market (Trial) (Jing Ren She Shi Chang Fa [2018] No. 266; hereinafter referred to as the Measures) was officially released.
The Measures states that efforts should be made to recruit outstanding talent in China and other countries and regions to build a high-quality and well-structured team of internationalized, interdisciplinary and leading talented individuals recruited through headhunting agencies.
1. Strengthen efforts of talent introduction of headhunting agencies: Eligible senior executives and headhunting consultants of headhunting agencies, who, in compliance with relevant requirements, have made significant contributions to recruiting urgently needed talented individuals, can apply for the Beijing Employment Residence Permits.
2. Innovate talent assessment methods of headhunting agencies: Professional and technical personnel in headhunting agencies can apply for professional title reviews with representative results such as self-selected project reports, research reports and performance reports in lieu of theses in compliance with relevant requirements. Professionals in headhunting agencies who have made significant contributions in introduction of talented individuals are eligible to exceptionally apply for senior title reviews in compliance with relevant requirements.
3. Encourage foreign professional headhunters to work in Beijing: Procedures shall be streamlined for outstanding foreign talented individuals in eligible headhunting agencies to work in Beijing Municipality by offering talent visas and foreign permanent residence ID cards. Foreign headhunting experts who have made significant contributions to introducing foreign intelligentsia to China will be recommended to compete for the "Great Wall Friendship Award" granted by the People's Government of Beijing Municipality.
4. Launch training programs for leading figures of headhunting agencies: Backbone figures of headhunting agencies will be invited to attend academic exchanges and research activities based on the resources of renowned universities, vocational schools, and multinationals and other large enterprises. A database for leading headhunters will be built to grasp the latest information of leading figures of headhunting agencies in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner and offer follow-up tracking services.
The Measures specifies targeted incentives for headhunting agencies. Headhunting agencies will be rewarded financially after they introduce talented individuals to employers in compliance with requirements on the list, and the individuals concerned are employed by such employers. Each reward will be equivalent to 50 percent of the headhunting service fee and capped at CNY 500,000.
The Measures encourages headhunting agencies to formulate their own maps elaborating on the distribution and needs of talented minds around the globe, and conduct talent data analysis and theoretical research. Headhunting agencies are also encouraged and supported to independently research and develop information service software products and take the initiative in applying for the certification of "software product registration".
The Measures emphasizes enhancing the opening-up level of headhunting agencies. Vigorous efforts will be made to introduce world-renowned headhunting agencies and further lift restrictions on the proportions of foreign investment in Sino-foreign joint venture headhunting agencies. Requirement has been removed that an established enterprise founded by Chinese and foreign investors must be operated for over three years as a human resources service agency. Foreign investors are allowed to directly invest in existing domestically funded agencies. Preferential policies such as financial rewards and rental subsidies will be granted to world's top 500 headhunting agencies that relocate their headquarters to Beijing. Domestic headhunting agencies are encouraged to "go global" and provide quality services for the development of the Belt and Road.
The Measures also proposes to develop high-quality service brands for headhunting agencies. Headhunting agencies are encouraged to register and use human resources service trademarks and build their own brands. Support will be given to these agencies in applying for inclusion in the List of Headquarters Economy Intermediary Organizations. Efforts shall be increased in brand building and promotion, and annual rating of headhunting agencies shall be organized where high ratings are granted to lawfully and reliably performing agencies. Agencies with sound social and economic benefits shall be properly rated and publicized.
Additionally, the Measures specifies the plan to establish the China Beijing Human Resources Service Industrial Park to drive the intensive development of headhunting agencies. It also calls for broadening financing channels for headhunting agencies, and encouraging and guiding financial institutions to increase credit investment in headhunting agencies and key service projects. Support will be given for the establishment of the International Consortium of Human Resources Service Agencies, to build a multi-party communication platform. Administrative licensing procedures will be streamlined to create a more relaxed and convenient business environment.
Q: What conditions must a headhunting agency meet to receive financial rewards?
A: Every headhunting agency must fulfill the following three conditions:
1. The agency must have introduced a talented individual from outside Beijing to an employer, and the individual has been employed by the employer;
2. The employed individual has passed the probation review, and a labor (employment) contract has been signed, or a notice of appointment has been issued by the employer;
3. The employed individual meet any of the following requirements: chosen and employed by a government organ and public institution as a specially-appointed employee; chosen and employed by an enterprise, with an annual salary of above CNY 500,000 and at a position higher than a departmental head; meeting certain requirements and capable of basic research, technological R&D, and higher skills.
Q: What is the application process for the financial reward?
A: The process is as follows:
1. Every year, the Working Group of Talent Headhunting and Recruitment Reward (hereinafter referred to as the "Working Group") will collect the information on needs of various employers for outstanding talented individuals on a regular basis and, after screening the information, make a list of talent selection projects which shall be issued by Beijing Municipal Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security (hereinafter referred to as the "Bureau") to headhunting agencies citywide.
2. The Bureau will publish a notice on the financial reward application on its official website (rsj.beijing.gov.cn).
3. Headhunting agencies may log in to the "Human Resources Market Management Information System of Beijing Municipality" according to the requirements in the notice and submit their applications together with all required materials.
4. The Working Group will review the applications and publish the results on the official website of the Bureau.
5. After the expiration of the public notification period, for the candidates not being challenged, the Bureau will finalize and deliberate the plan for granting financial rewards.
6. After deliberation and approval, the Bureau will grant the financial rewards to the selected employers and headhunting agencies.
Q: What materials are required to apply for a reward?
A: Required materials include:
1. Application form for the talent headhunting financial reward;
2. Valid identity document (Resident ID Card or passport) of the selected and employed talented individual;
3. Work permit and residence permit (for foreign nationals only)
4. License of the employer (business license for an enterprise, legal person registration certificate for a public institution, legal person registration certificate for a social organization); business license and the Human Resources Service License of the headhunting agency;
5. If the employer is an enterprise, a tax payment certificate issued by the municipal tax authority is needed;
6. Headhunting contract, headhunting service fee receipt(s) and bank payment record(s);
7. Other relevant materials required:
(1) For an enterprise employee: Personal income tax certificate and labor (employment) contract signed with the employer;
(2) For an employee specially hired by a governmental authority or public institution: Certificate of appointment;
(3) For a highly-skilled talented individual engaging in basic research or technological R&D: Talent project certificate issued by the national or municipal (in Beijing) governmental authority; award certificate(s) for world-class, national or municipal (in Beijing) skill competition(s) for talented individuals.