China's Prolonged Work Culture: A Historical Legacy from Officialdom to Technocracy

996 Work Schedule in China: A Historical Context

Key Findings

The 996 work schedule, which involves working from 9am to 9pm, six days a week, has become a contentious issue in contemporary China, with supporters arguing it accelerates productivity and critics describing it as "modern slavery."

Historical Context

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Long working hours are not a new phenomenon in Chinese society. Historical records indicate that intense work routines have existed for centuries, affecting both officials and ordinary laborers long before the rise of modern technology companies.

Ancient China

Demanding workloads were common in ancient China, with officials and laborers working long hours. For example, during the Warring States period, an official named Dong He reportedly worked continuously day and night while negotiating with a rival state. By the Qin dynasty, officials were already beginning their duties very early in the day, often remaining on duty until evening.

Imperial Administration

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Records from later dynasties reveal harsh consequences for those who failed to meet expectations. During the Tang dynasty, government officials who missed a single day of work could face 20 lashes as punishment. Accumulating 35 days of absence could lead to a sentence of one year of forced labor.

Emperors' Workloads

Historical accounts suggest that rulers themselves often maintained demanding work routines. The founder of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang, is said to have reviewed 1,660 official memorials in eight days, while requiring his ministers to handle more than 200 documents daily.

Periods of Greater Rest

Despite the demanding nature of imperial life, some historical periods attempted to incorporate regular breaks. During the Han dynasty, authorities introduced a system known as the "rest and bath day," which allowed officials to take a day off to rest and rejuvenate.

Labor Regulations

The current labor regulations in China legally restrict working hours to eight hours per day and 44 hours per week, which conflicts with the 996 work schedule.