Inside China’s intense work culture and holiday system - Asia Specific podcast, BBC World Service

Chinese workers officially get nine days off for this Lunar New Year – the longest stretch of public holiday on record. Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 https://bbc.in/3VyyriM But, as millions move around the country in the annual travel rush, they’ve found there’s a catch. Some of those days must be made up by working weekends. Many workers are guaranteed just five days of paid annual leave, far fewer than in other major economies. And the work culture has sparked debate around burnout and work-life balance. In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to the BBC’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell in Beijing and Fan Wang from BBC News in Singapore. They examine China’s work leave issue and if the culture around it can change. 00:00 Introduction 01:21 China during Lunar New Year 03:35 How many days off workers get and “make-up” days explained 05:53 How the “make-up” day policy began 07:23 Growing complaints about “make-up” days and long hours 08:26 Why some people support the system 10:16 Why many still work during the holidays 12:12 Youth unemployment and pressure to conform 15:26 Can China retain top talent amid intense work culture? 17:35 Can longer holidays boost the economy? Watch more episodes of Asia Specific here 👉🏽    • Asia Specific   Instagram: @bbcworldservice Email: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk Presenter: Mariko Oi Producer: Rachel Lee Camera: Khairul Danish Bin Mohd Roslee, Muhammad Firdaus Bin Mohd Ansary, Syaik Muhammad Sidik Editor: Bill Birtles ---------------- This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel. If you like what we do, you can also find us here: Instagram 👉🏽   / bbcworldservice   Twitter 👉🏽   / bbcworldservice   Facebook 👉🏽   / bbcworldservice   BBC World Service website 👉🏽 https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio Thanks for watching and subscribing! #BBCWorldService #WorldService #asiaspecific #asiaspecificpodcast #china #chinesenewyear #chinaholiday #chinaworkingculture