China is considering making bosses pay workers for ‘invisible’ overtime, but is it a feasible solution?
‘996’ work culture
Jenny Chan, an associate professor in sociology at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, said it was critical to look at how any laws aimed at tackling invisible overtime could be enforced and implemented.
“Labour laws state that workers should work only eight hours per day,” she explained
“But China’s ‘996’ work culture has been known for years.”
For the past decade, Chinese firms, especially in the technology sector have been know for “996” — a gruelling business culture that usually means working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week.
“So many employees have to put up with 10 to 12 hours a day, or even longer,” Dr Chan said.
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But Dr Chan said companies were rarely held accountable for violating labour laws.
“Some local governments are so concerned about productivity and economic gains that they are not really willing to enforce the laws,” she said.
“I think we need structural changes such as clearer punishments and also unions [to support workers].
“An individual worker is quite weak, but if coworkers can stand up together and protect their rights collectively, it will be more promising.”
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“At this critical and difficult period of time in China, young people are already struggling to have decent employment,” she said.
By Iris Zhao and Jenny Cai
ABC News
25 Mar 2024
Link to full content : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-25/china-invisible-overtime-reforms-labour-law-work-hours/103599992
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