SloveniaThe article discusses the '996 work system' in China, where employees work from 9 AM to 9 PM, six days a week. According to data from China's statistical office, nearly two-thirds of the country's 734.4 million workers were employed in urban areas by late 2024. Journalist Zorana Baković claimed this system was once common but has recently faced resistance from Chinese youth, despite Alibaba founder Jack Ma describing it as a privilege. Professor Maja Veselič clarified that while the term '996' became popular around ten years ago, especially in internet companies, it does not appear in official legal documents. She explained that long working hours with unpaid overtime have existed since the 1990s in industries like manufacturing and construction, often involving migrant workers without proper residency status. The practice of extended work hours became more widespread in private sector tech companies starting around 2010.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both perspectives—Baković’s claim about growing resistance to the 996 system and Veselič’s clarification about its historical prevalence and legal distinctions. It avoids overtly favoring one side, providing context and contrasting viewpoints without loaded language or one-sided
