Prison-like Discipline and Fines Control the Workers’ Lives On July 2, 2007, the following notice was posted on a large blackboard inside the plant: “The three people above each missed one day of work and will each be punished with a 50 RMB ($6.63) fine.” Forget about China’s labor laws—a five-day, 40-hour workweek, with Saturday and Sunday off, with overtime strictly limited and voluntary. For daring to take a Saturday, a Sunday or a sick day off, the worker will be docked that day’s wages and hit with an additional $6.63 fine, together resulting in the loss of 2 1/2 days wages. Workers can be fined for just about anything. Management even has a receipt book to keep track of the individuals fined. Many workers
were fined 30 to 50 RMB ($3.98-$6.63) for missing a day. Another worker was fined 20 RMB ($2.65)—the loss of nearly five hours’ wages—for placing large Christmas ornaments on the floor. A worker was fined 5.00 RMB (66 cents)—the loss of nearly 1 1/2 hours median wage (approximately 49 cents) for quality control problems. This person had an error rate of 2.78 percent in attaching a cover or hook to the top of the Christmas balls. This worker’s receipt even carried the following note: “We wish you would respect factory regulations and discipline and take this as a warning.” How’s that for Christmas spirit? Another worker was fined 5 RMB for accidentally dropping an ornament. There are all sorts of other fines for violating factory discipline.
Blackboard with violations and fines. Worker names blocked out. 35