In the wake of the mainland China’s economic downturn, the increasing number of unemployed people has led to the emergence of a phenomenon where some netizens have set up a company called the “Pretend to Work Limited Company” specifically for the unemployed, sparking discussions online and even trending on Weibo.
On December 27th, a recruitment advertisement for the “Pretend to Work Company” circulated widely on the Chinese internet.
The advertisement stated that this was a company for pretending to work, with no actual business operations. If you are unemployed and want to keep it a secret from your family, you can sign up here to pretend to work. The company can provide a workstation where you can freely use your phone, with the boss conducting regular “patrols” to create the thrill of slacking off at work. Moreover, the boss will even assign you pretend tasks, which you can freely reject or even leave the proposals on the boss’s desk.
In the video, the office layout resembled a real workplace, complete with desks, chairs, and office equipment like computers. The conditions for application were 30 yuan/day, including lunch, office hours from 10 am to 5 pm, with no need to clock in.
With the continual worsening of the Chinese economy, free libraries have temporarily replaced Starbucks cafes as a refuge for the unemployed, and the “library index” has become a barometer for observing the unemployment rate in China. The recent emergence of the “Pretend to Work Company” online has sparked considerable discussions.
Many netizens have commented, “The concept of the Pretend to Work Company is so creative.” “If they add computers, it could become a new type of internet café.” “This is like a canteen.” “In other words, for 30 yuan, you get an eight-hour self-study workstation and a boxed lunch.” “I wonder where the company is located; I might give it a try when I have time.”
However, some netizens have raised concerns, stating, “What will happen by the end of the month? How will we explain the lack of salary to our families?” “Can pretending to work actually alleviate the situation? Why do I still feel anxious?”
On December 30th, the topic of “Paid Pretend Work finally emerges” trended on Weibo.