Chinese Workers Support EU Forced Labor Sanctions

Chinese workers are utilizing social media to express support for European Union sanctions targeting forced labor and excessive overtime. This internal frustration centers on the 996 culture, characterized by 12-hour shifts, which aligns with the EU Forced Labour Regulation taking effect in December 2027. The regulation bans goods produced through involuntary work or excessive overtime.

The European Union has demanded that China address trade imbalances and weak domestic demand by October, claiming these factors are hollowing out European industries. While the European Commission reports receiving informal allegations of labor violations in China, it has not observed a recent surge in formal complaints.

Parallel to the EU's actions, the United States has imposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on several trading partners, including China and the EU, for failing to curb forced labor. United States Customs and Border Protection has noted that systemic unpaid overtime can trigger formal supply-chain investigations. Lu Ming warned that poor labor protections could damage China's image and create substantive trade barriers.