China’s Supreme People’s Court (SPC) and the Chinese government have given the red card to the 996 working hour system and other serious overtime in the workplace.
In August 2021, the SPC and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (hereinafter “the Authorities”) jointly released ten typical cases of overtime disputes, clarifying the standards of the application of law regarding disputed issues like the working hour system, overtime payment, and workers’ rights to breaks and vacation.
In one of the typical cases, the Authorities clarified that the 996 Mode refers to working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for six days a week, which seriously violates the law regarding the regulation of the maximum extension of working hours, and therefore should be deemed invalid.
Currently, a serious overtime working system is commonly seen in manufacturing and high-tech industries. Although it is illegal, many companies have adopted the 996 working hour system as common practice.
The Chinese judiciary and labor regulatory authorities are trying to correct this anomaly.
Cover Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
Contributors: CJO Staff Contributors Team
