Chinese Labor Unrest at Jie Rong Technology in Guangdong
On January 16, 2024, a significant labor issue emerged at Jie Rong Technology in Dongguan, Guangdong. The company implemented a rotational furlough system for all employees, with some workers receiving notices for a six-month leave. This decision led to widespread dissatisfaction among the workforce. Photos and videos circulating online showed employees outside the factory holding banners protesting the enforced six-month leave and denial of factory access, with one employee even climbing to the rooftop in an act of protest.
1月16日，广东东莞。捷荣技术将对全体员工实施轮流分批放假，有员工收到通知显示“被放假”6个月，导致大量工人不满，据网传的照片和视频显示，有员工在工厂门外举着“捷荣强制性放我们6个月长假，停卡停门禁不给进厂，想0元买断我们的工龄”横幅，还有员工爬上楼顶欲跳楼维权。 pic.twitter.com/v1wFx57vV7
— 李老师不是你老师 (@whyyoutouzhele) January 17, 2024
User Reactions Summary:
- woyongdehuawei (清丝老师谈治国理政): “Targeting those who are dissatisfied isn’t respecting one’s own life”
- LuoShiHistory (罗氏春秋): “In the 1930s, our party would have immediately instigated a workers’ revolt, forming a patrol team and preparing for armed struggle…🤔😑”
- nngnghn157450 (南宮恨): “Directly tagging various news agencies”
- CuimaoSheriff1 (Cuimaosheriff): “Why blame the capitalists now😅😅”
- Binhhuynh971 (Trương Phi): “Is this the solution?🤔🙏🥴”
- ChiLNg15 (Chi L Ng 🇺🇸🇭🇰🇺🇲): “What’s the use of threatening to jump without jumping? 😉”
- shepherdZJHN (Amber): “This stock price crazily quintupled in two months last year, and now a six-month shutdown? Have the shareholders already cut and run? 🤣”
- NagumoMiyabi (南雲雅): “🤣 Let the omnipotent Chinese government think of a solution.”
- LYiyushow (Yiyu): “Law and order have failed, lawlessness prevails”
- ShintoStudent: “Jumping from the building won’t solve anything. Better to go into the manager’s office and smash the table with a fire extinguisher…”
- DumbKemKem (KemKem): “They’d probably be glad if you jumped, no need to maintain stability”
- huzhimi52334774 (胡志明): “If workers who can’t get paid jump off buildings, won’t that just please the heartless bosses?”
- liejunsmxbz (Liejun): “Why not unite and go to the Industrial and Commercial Bureau or the Petitions Office? Do you think dying will solve the problem?”
- uniquecshangs (skc2): “Commenting on the escape of a 95-year-old economist to freedom”
- hushuosha170401 (胡说啥): “Knowing you won’t jump, what good would it do even if you did?”
- q8nMgNvyXU8xTdf (菜虚鲲): “Why not take action against the administrative manager?”
- mfdoomforreal (hgfjg): “Is it so hard to unite and take up arms when your fundamental interests are at stake?”
- cccxnk176129 (cccxnk): “Boycott capitalists”
These reactions reflect a mix of empathy, sarcasm, and calls for more effective forms of protest. The situation at Jie Rong Technology highlights deeper issues in the labor market and the growing discontent among workers in China.