Recently, there has been widespread attention on the case of an employee at the Chongqing branch of China Construction Bank who hung himself at his desk after being dismissed. A video of the incident circulated online, showing three men and a woman working together to rescue the man. A chair was placed on the desk, with a rope hanging from the beam above. After being saved, the man was visibly emotional, shouting towards someone repeatedly.
In another video, police arrived at the scene, and the rescued man immediately knelt down, incessantly kowtowing. Onlookers quickly helped him up, handed him a bottle of water, and guided him to a nearby office after he had calmed down.
According to Dafeng News, the incident occurred at the credit card service center of the Chongqing branch of China Construction Bank within the Guojin Center at Jiangbeizui, Chongqing. Witnesses stated that the event took place around 4 p.m. on November 6th when a staff member with over seven years of service at the center attempted suicide by hanging himself at his workstation after being dismissed.
Internal sources at the bank revealed that since 2023, the Chongqing branch of China Construction Bank has started cutting salaries and not renewing contracts upon expiration, pressuring employees to sign away their seniority at the center. They are then required to sign new outsourcing contracts at the branch, reducing their salary to 3000 yuan per month, with a two-year maximum contract term, fixed positions, and wages. Many long-time employees were coerced into signing the salary reduction agreement.
Prior to this, an outsourced worker at the bank had lodged a complaint with the Chongqing Regulatory Bureau of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission on November 1st, citing irregular business operations at the bank, poor internal control management, arbitrary salary deductions for outsourced employees, and demanding the return of withheld wages along with interest since their employment from March 5, 2018.
As of now, the Chongqing branch of China Construction Bank has not issued any response to the incident.
Following the release of the videos online, netizens have expressed concerns, with some questioning the challenging conditions banks are facing. Some shared personal experiences, indicating the difficulties faced by employees. There were comments about the uncertainty of job security, with individuals feeling pressured to comply with unfavorable contract conditions due to the lack of alternative stable employment options. The dangers of working conditions and mental health challenges within the banking industry were emphasized by many.
Some netizens reflected on the unequal distribution of wealth in society, questioning why the average person faces such hardships while a few individuals at the top receive exorbitant salaries. Calls were made for accountability and changes within the leadership structure of companies to address the systemic issues causing distress and instability among employees.
In light of this incident, it has brought to the forefront the precarious situation faced by many workers in various sectors, highlighting the pressing need for reforms and safeguards to protect the well-being of employees in the face of mounting economic pressures and uncertain job prospects.