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Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

bbc.com

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Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#61

Post by aurailious »

Sangermaine wrote: post #48
1_800_UNICORN wrote: post #33

Very interesting article, but I was disappointed that the article stated that the millenial only-children of China are "outspoken", "pampered", or "self-centered". I don't believe that any of those terms apply to people who are fighting against working 72 hours per week for low pay. This is a case of basic human rights. The words that come to mind to describe the folks who are fighting this fight are "proud", "resili…

It's nice to see that however much America and China might be at odds, they can apparently agree on attacking their young people as lazy and entitled.

"Millennials are now killing the Chinese manufacturing industry!"

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#62

Post by phyller »

avcdsuia wrote: post #35
logfromblammo wrote: post #14

They should join a union, or form a socialist workers' party, or something.~

We are even not allowed to have feminist organizations, any non-governmental groups with powers are considered threat to this country.

It was a joke. He was implying that if the workers took hold of the means of production, they could displace the capitalist bourgeoisie that are exploiting them. Then they could set up some sort of People's Republic, with a single, communal political party that represents the people, not the powerful minority. They could call it the "People's Republic of China". That would solve everything, what could go wrong? Communism in action!

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#63

Post by tribune »

Sangermaine wrote: post #48
1_800_UNICORN wrote: post #33

Very interesting article, but I was disappointed that the article stated that the millenial only-children of China are "outspoken", "pampered", or "self-centered". I don't believe that any of those terms apply to people who are fighting against working 72 hours per week for low pay. This is a case of basic human rights. The words that come to mind to describe the folks who are fighting this fight are "proud", "resili…

It's nice to see that however much America and China might be at odds, they can apparently agree on attacking their young people as lazy and entitled.

A human universal!

http://www.bartleby.com/73/195.html

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#64

Post by ionised »

merpnderp wrote: post #39
eumenides1 wrote: post #11

“In my experience young people, especially the post-90s generation, are reluctant to work overtime – they are more self-centered,” says labour rights expert Li Jupeng, one of many who have observed some millennials challenging the 996 concept. self-centered is a funny word. It implies selfish, but is it really selfish if it's self-preservation?

Self-preservation is the most selfish thing you can be centered on, and it is absolutely ethically and morally correct. Being self-centered is what makes free markets successful, as in pitting your self interests against others, brings out the most productive aspects of everyone involved.

This is wonderfully ideological. I'm surprised people still believe this stuff.

Free markets are successful because people are self-centred?

The last 40 years or more should have been enough time to see that humans are not just machine-like self-interested information processors that respond to the market, they do behave altruistically and will co-operate when the purpose is worth it.

It's this naive insistence that the market and holders of capital, if left alone, will direct humanity in the right direction that causes so much of the concentration of wealth, obscene inequality, economic instability and incredibly damaging waste that western economies have experienced since the end of the last world war.

Amusing to see the priests of this perverse religion still purveying this post-human fantasy of market democracy and Objectivism though.

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#66

Post by sloxy »

jsemrau wrote: post #27
eumenides1 wrote: post #11

“In my experience young people, especially the post-90s generation, are reluctant to work overtime – they are more self-centered,” says labour rights expert Li Jupeng, one of many who have observed some millennials challenging the 996 concept. self-centered is a funny word. It implies selfish, but is it really selfish if it's self-preservation?

Well, who "wants" to work overtime ? Most European work cultures survive well with a great work-life balance.

sure but it's slowly being eroded by the americanisation of companies & management styles.

salaried workers being exempt from paid overtime in most European countries has turned in to a joke. Instead of just being used to deal with "emergency" situations, it's used to coerce extra work for free.

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#67

Post by ionised »

0xffff2 wrote: post #50
madeofpalk wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not sure if I'm missing sarcasm or anything, but this sounds like the exact same problem as everywhere else in the world.

Really? Which parts of that apply to any western country? The US (where I live) certainly has its problems, but none of the things described by the original comment apply widely in the US.

The surveillance of citizens and credit scores don't apply to the US?

Or the obscene ballooning of rents without a corresponding increase in wage?

Absurd overtime expectations?

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#68

Post by zanmat0 »

yakuza00000 wrote: post #17

Poor Chinese Millennials. They are frustrated their country turned dictatorship. They are constantly monitored by the big brother, social credit score, public cameras that have facial recognition. Their words censored by wechat, and the great firewall. If they say something wrong, they will be watched and put on no travel list. There's no moving up the ladder; they're stuck trying to buy a $500k house with a meager $…

I think you'll be surprised to find that many young Chinese people support their government and their hard-handed approach to social stability. I've notice that its a uniquely Western trend to apply our judgement on these issues and expect it to automatically be in line with the Chinese perspective.

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#69

Post by avcdsuia »

1_800_UNICORN wrote: post #33

Very interesting article, but I was disappointed that the article stated that the millenial only-children of China are "outspoken", "pampered", or "self-centered". I don't believe that any of those terms apply to people who are fighting against working 72 hours per week for low pay. This is a case of basic human rights. The words that come to mind to describe the folks who are fighting this fight are "proud", "resili…

Collectivism is hard coded in Chinese public education, kids are encouraged to hard work and make dedications to their native land in schools. The gov make idols to worship like Jiao Yulu(焦裕禄) way before this working overtime issue (and Jiao died from overwork and liver disease) and making tv shows Touching China，a mandatory learning section for middle school students. With this premise it's not odd to me that criticizes are made.

Re: Young Chinese are sick of working long hours

#70

Post by gaius »

jimmy1 wrote: post #29
IloveHN84 wrote: post #3

Who's not tired of working overtime?

People who get compensated for it.

My experience of shift work is that if time-and-a-half or double-time is offered, there are plenty of volunteers. There will always be someone saving for something who can use the money. It only becomes a problem if it’s the “new normal”.
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