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China's 996 Work Culture: Success or Modern Slavery?

3/10/2026

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Story summary
  • The 996 work culture in China requires 9am–9pm, six days a week.
  • Proponents credit it with success.
  • Critics describe it as modern slavery due to health risks.
  • In 2019 a GitHub protest drew attention to dangerous overwork among tech workers.
  • Although labor laws cap work at eight hours, overwork has historical roots in China.