the Push for More Vacation Time: Chinese Workers Frustrated by "Adjusted Rest" Policy for Labor Day
Many Chinese workers, like Hao Zeyu, an algorithm engineer, are unhappy with the upcoming Labor Day vacation arrangements. While they get five days off, they're required to work an extra Saturday and Sunday on either side of the break. This means only one day feels like a true holiday.
This practice of shifting workdays to weekends for longer vacations during holidays is called "tiaoxiu" (adjusted rest). Introduced in 1999 to boost spending after an economic crisis, it's now a source of online frustration.
"I don't like it," Hao says. This policy was a temporary solution for boosting consumption, but it's clearly outdated and needs to be replaced.
The frustration is surprising considering China's Communist Party celebrates International Workers' Day annually. So, why the discontent with a policy in place for decades?
China's "Workstation" Frustrations: Long Weekends with Strings Attached
Many Chinese holidays, including the upcoming Labor Day break (May 1st to 5th), come with a twist: extended weekends achieved by working on designated weekends before and after the official holiday. This practice, known as "tiaoxiu" (adjusted rest), aims to boost travel and spending, but it's leaving some workers feeling burnt out.
The Deal
China offers several long weekends throughout the year, with Labor Day being one example. This year, workers get five days off (May 1st to 5th). However, they'll have to work the two preceding Saturdays (April 27th and May 4th) to compensate for the extended break.
This system applies to other major holidays as well, like Spring Festival and National Day.
The Frustration
While longer breaks sound appealing, many workers feel "tiaoxiu" disrupts their true rest time. With only one genuine day off (May 3rd), the extended weekend feels more like a "workstation" than a vacation.
Why the Discontent?
This policy has been around since 1999, so the frustration might seem surprising. However, some workers feel "tiaoxiu" no longer serves its original purpose. Introduced to stimulate spending during an economic slump, it might not be as necessary in today's China. Additionally, with just five days of statutory annual leave, many workers crave genuine time off, not a work-filled "vacation."
China's "Bumpy Ride" and the "Work Harder" Mentality
China's economic transformation is causing ripples in the workforce. As the country strives to shift from manufacturing to a knowledge-based economy, Professor Christian Yao of the University of Wellington describes these as "bumpy years." This economic slowdown is putting pressure on both workers and companies.
Feeling the Squeeze
Workers are feeling the pressure to be more productive while companies aim to cut costs. This translates to longer hours for some, with fear of job loss acting as a strong motivator. The infamous "996" work culture (9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) is still prevalent in tech companies and startups.
The "Adjusted Rest" Frustration
Adding to the worker discontent is the "antitoxin" policy. While it creates longer holidays (like the upcoming Labor Day break with extra workdays tacked on before and after), it leaves many feeling like they're not getting a true break.
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