Does the labor contract have to be signed before it can be renewed?
No need. According to the relevant regulations, if the employee is still in the medical treatment period, pregnancy, childbirth and lactation period after the expiration of the labor contract, the labor contract period will automatically extend to the medical treatment period, pregnancy, childbirth and lactation period. Both parties do not need to renew the labor contract, but they can renew it according to law. Except in the case of "statutory extension", it is best to re-sign the labor contract when it expires. According to Item (3) and Item (4) of Article 42 of the Labor Contract Law, the employer shall not dissolve or terminate the labor relationship during the medical treatment period, pregnancy, maternity and lactation period. After the end of the third period, if the employer terminates the labor relationship with the laborer, it shall pay economic compensation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 5 of Article 46 and Article 47 of the Labor Contract Law.