labor rights

A Shenzhen dessert shop’s potential employee sparked controversy with a viral post detailing extreme working conditions: a 16-hour workday, two days off a month, and strict rules with penalties. The contract highlights labor rights concerns, particularly excessive work hours and questionable ethics. While management claims voluntary agreement, local authorities remind workers of their rights under existing labor laws, which mandate eight-hour workdays. The situation reflects growing scrutiny of worker protections in China.

Sichuan’s Mianyang has launched an optional 4.5-day workweek trial to boost post-pandemic recovery, allowing Friday afternoons off to stimulate tourism and consumer spending. Similar pilots in over 10 provinces aim to balance economic revitalization with worker well-being. Analysts caution the policy could strain SMEs facing labor shortages and operational costs, requiring revised overtime rules and digital tools to sustain productivity. Experts emphasize strengthening labor rights, including paid leave systems, to reduce turnover and boost engagement. Mianyang’s experiment may determine whether condensed workweeks evolve from a trend into viable policy amid shifting workplace dynamics.