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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Economy & Trade

Chinese student works 46 days, earns only $206; labor arbitration refuses case

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A Chinese university student worked 46 days at a hot pot restaurant during his summer break but was only paid 1,500 yuan.
  • The labor arbitration committee refused to hear his case, stating that students are not within its scope.
  • A court later ruled the student should have been paid 4,700 yuan and ordered the restaurant to pay the remaining balance.

A 19-year-old Chinese university student's summer job at a hot pot restaurant ended with him working 46 days for a mere 1,500 yuan (approximately $206 USD).

The student sought help from the labor arbitration committee after the restaurant offered him such a low wage, but his case was rejected. The committee cited regulations that exclude students from labor dispute proceedings.

Left with few options, the student took the restaurant to court. A judge ruled that a labor relationship existed between the student and the restaurant, and that he was owed 4,700 yuan for his work. The court ordered the restaurant to pay the remaining 3,200 yuan.

The case sparked widespread discussion online, with many netizens criticizing local labor arbitration committees for favoring businesses. Some expressed cynicism, suggesting that light penalties encourage repeat offenses, while others lamented it as a harsh introduction to the realities of the working world for Chinese students.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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