Labor Law prevails over company culture

Bai Ya, chief executive officer of the internet company Youzan, has been widely criticized online for claiming that employees of his company should work six days a week from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. ThePaper.cn comments:

Facing one blame after another, Bai fought back by saying that "It is good for both the employees and the company", adding that "If someone cannot enjoy extra hours as part of our company culture, he/she can choose to leave Youzan and find a company that better suits him/her."

On Sina Weibo, China's equivalent to Twitter, he was rebuked with the reminder that his so-called company culture is against the Labor Law.

The Labor Law has made it clear that basic working hours are no more than eight hours a day and no more than 44 hours a week on average. It is illegal for any employer to force an employee to work extra hours without the latter's consent and without extra payment.

More important, the eight-hour-schedule is a hard-won right for employees, obtained after over 100 years of struggle.

Now, that right is under attack from certain CEOs, and Bai is only one of them. Their purpose is clear: They hope to make extra profit by forcing their employees to work extra hours.

Worse, they cook chicken soup for the soul by dressing up the exploitation of their workers as "company culture". This is absurd.

On Sina Weibo, people also expressed concerns about Youzan trying to fire employees without paying them compensation. There have already been reports about internet companies doing so via one trick after another.

For example, Bianlifeng, another internet company that runs 24-hour convenience stores via its smartphone app, has reportedly organized math exams for its staff. Those failing the test might be fired without receiving compensation. In a latest response, its founder Zhuang Chenchao is quoted as saying "One must struggle to get a better life". Obviously, he is cooking another bowl of chicken soup for the soul. But people are already tired of it, and want another dish.

It is time for the local labor departments to check whether the two companies are violating the Labor Law. Chicken soup for the soul should never be an excuse for violating the worker's legal rights.