Chinese Kindergarten Student Worker Denied Full Salary, Sparks Outrage on Social Media
Despite working every day for over a month and being denied the full salary as promised, a female student from Zhengzhou, Henan province in China has struggled to receive her payment for a job at a kindergarten. The student, who simply goes by the social media name "小马" (Little Horse), was working at a kindergarten operated by Jin Yihong, the director of a real estate company and also the chairman of Henan Jinmao Group.
29 February 2024
According to her social media post, Little Horse took on this job as a means of earning an income during her winter break. She was required to work for 36 days straight, with no day off, including the Chinese New Year. Her main responsibility was to sanitize the building, a task that caused her hands to become raw and blistered. As part of her job, Little Horse was promised a "full attendance award" on top of her agreed-upon wage, which she hoped would help alleviate her family's difficult financial situation.
However, after the completion of her work, she found herself not only waiting for the attendance award but also not receiving her regular wages. Little Horse's social media post, detailing her ordeal, has sparked outrage and discussion on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
Many users were particularly critical of Jin Yihong's management of the kindergarten, calling him "heartless" and asserting that he should be "severely punished". When questioned about the situation, Jin Yihong responded that the amount of money Little Horse was owed was not significant, and it was only a matter of a few days before she would receive it.
He also claimed that the young woman was exaggerating her story. This incident has raised broader concerns over labor rights and exploitation in China, particularly for student workers. It highlights the importance of enforcing clear labor policies and recognizing the rights and protections owed to all workers, regardless of their age or status. In response to the situation, some Weibo users expressed their support for Little Horse, while others shared their own experiences of being taken advantage of as student workers. The outcry from social media has led to increased attention to labor rights and may encourage more workers to stand up for their rights in the future. Furthermore, the situation has sparked a conversation about the disparity between the promises made to workers and the reality of their employment. Many people in China, especially students, often take on part-time jobs in the hope that they will receive fair compensation for their work. However, as demonstrated by Little Horse's experience, companies sometimes fail to honor these commitments, causing financial strain and stress for their employees. Although the full extent of the consequences Jin Yihong will face for his actions remains unclear, the incident has undoubtedly brought attention to the issue of labor rights violations in China. In a country where the gap between rich and poor is vast and the opportunity for upward mobility is limited, it is crucial that the rights and protections of all workers, particularly the most vulnerable, are respected and enforced.
As the story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the power of social media to hold individuals and companies accountable for their actions. It also underscores the need for increased protections for student workers and all employees, who rely on fair wages and labor practices to support themselves and their families. As more voices join the conversation, it could be the catalyst for change in the way companies treat their workers in China and beyond.
In the meantime, Little Horse's situation has prompted greater scrutiny of other similar businesses, with members of the public calling for increased oversight and regulation of part-time employment opportunities for students. As the discussions continue, it is hoped that real changes will be enacted to ensure that the rights and protections of student workers are respected and upheld by all employers in China.