People's Republic of China (PRC) labor contract law

Article 84 If an employing unit violates the provisions of this Law and distrains the resident identity cards and other certificates of workers, the labor administrative department shall order it to be returned to the workers themselves within a time limit and punish them in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

If an employing unit, in violation of the provisions of this Law, collects property from laborers by way of guarantee or other names, the labor administrative department shall order it to be returned to the laborers within a time limit and impose a fine of not less than 500 yuan but not more than 2,000 yuan per person; If it causes damage to workers, it shall be liable for compensation.

If the employee dissolves or terminates the labor contract according to law, and the employer detains the employee's files or other articles, it shall be punished in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph.