Chinese Company Sparks Outrage with Mandatory 10-Night Overtime Policy

Netizens have expressed vehement anger towards the company's policy, condemning it as a blatant example of labor exploitation. Many believe that forcing employees to work overtime for more than 10 nights a month is not only unfair but also detrimental to their health. While some have outright rejected the idea of such extensive overtime, others have suggested that if the compensation is fair, they could tolerate the long working hours. One commenter summarized the sentiment, saying "Forcing people to work like this for such low pay is essentially modern-day exploitation." The backlash against the company's policy highlights the growing concerns over worker welfare and the need for fair labor practices in China.

The company has responded to the backlash, stating that the overtime policy is voluntary and that employees can choose not to work overtime if they wish. However, if they do choose to work overtime, the company will cover their social security contributions, which amount to around 400 yuan per month. The company has also emphasized that employees who work overtime will be entitled to overtime pay and bonuses. This has raised questions about the true nature of the "voluntary" overtime policy and whether employees feel pressured to participate in order to avoid shouldering the additional financial burden.

The incident has sparked a heated discussion on labor laws, with some netizens listing the standards for a good job, including paying social insurance in accordance with laws and regulations, adhering to the eight-hour workday, and offering a medium to high salary. Many have pointed out that a good job should meet at least three to four criteria, including paying social insurance and pensions in full, adhering to the eight-hour workday with reasonable overtime and compensation, offering a competitive salary, and providing a stable and healthy working environment.

The debate has shed light on the gray areas in China's labor laws, particularly with regards to overtime and worker protection. While some argue that requesting employees to work overtime is a common practice in China, others see it as a blatant disregard for workers' rights. The Foshan company's requirement of at least 10 nights of overtime per month has sparked outrage, with many calling for greater protections for workers and stricter enforcement of labor laws.

In recent years, some Chinese companies, including tech giants such as DJI and Midea, have started to implement policies aimed at reducing overtime work and improving work-life balance. For example, DJI has introduced a policy requiring employees to leave the office by 9 pm, while Midea has implemented a policy prohibiting employees from working overtime without approval. These policies are seen as a positive step towards addressing the issue of excessive overtime work in China. However, some experts have noted that more needs to be done to address the root causes of the problem, including the culture of overwork and the lack of effective enforcement of labor laws. Additionally, some employees have expressed concerns that the new policies may lead to a reduction in their income and benefits, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing the issue of overtime work in China.