Amidst the continued downturn of the Chinese economy, in order to stimulate consumption, the city of Mianyang in Sichuan Province has introduced a trial of the “4.5-day flexible work system”, sparking discussions and debates among the public. Some are pleased as they can finally have more time off to rest, sleep in, and take short trips, while others are concerned about potential decreases in wages. Some scholars argue that this seems more like a publicity stunt and may not have practical impact.
Several mainland Chinese media outlets recently reported that the Mianyang City Bureau of Commerce issued a “Work Plan for Boosting Consumption in Mianyang City in 2025”, aimed at enhancing residents’ consumption capability and market vitality.
The work plan includes implementing annual leave policies to encourage companies to offer flexible time off and promote spousal sharing of leave. The trial of the “4.5-day flexible work system” is aimed at encouraging select regions to adopt a 2.5-day weekend model by combining Friday afternoon with the weekend off.
Regarding the trial of the 4.5-day work system, a resident of Mianyang, Mr. Zhang, expressed to a local media outlet that, “This is impossible. It appears to be considering people’s physical and mental health in the face of a severe economic recession, allowing people more rest for increased consumption. In reality, there’s not much work to do; factories are even closing down. The 4.5-day work system is actually a way to cut wages. If wages are not reduced and workers still follow the standard 5 or 6-day work week, it would be impossible. This is a reflection of the economic downturn and recession.”
A food delivery driver in Chengdu, Mr. Huang, revealed, “Nowadays, I’m already receiving significantly fewer orders compared to during the pandemic period. If we are forced to take an additional 2.5 days off, the number of delivery drivers would decrease further, creating food access issues. If kindergartens also close for 2.5 days, it would be problematic to take care of children. Giving parents Saturday and Sunday to look after their children is fine, but if children are sent to grandparents on Fridays, it would be tough on the elderly, considering their health issues.”
On May 24, the Mianyang City Bureau of Commerce clarified to local media that the documentation encourages eligible areas to implement the 4.5-day flexible work system but stressed that it is not a mandatory requirement.
An employee of a private company in Anhui, known as Mr. Wang, shared, “Many factories currently have little to no work and are on an extended break of half a month or even a month. Adding an extra 2.5 days off to stimulate consumption when people don’t have money to spend is unnecessary. When companies have work, employees might be putting in extra hours like 007 or 996, which despite being tiring, provides income. Now, during the break, there is no money coming in. The government promoting a 2.5-day break seems unrelated to us. If they can guarantee income during the three days off, I wouldn’t mind. This seems more like a benefit for government employees and civil servants to boost the economy, unrelated to us.”
Dr. Li Yuanhua, former associate professor at Beijing Normal University, stated, “The implementation of the 4.5-day work system in Mianyang is a publicity stunt by the Chinese government. Some major local private enterprises in Mianyang have not even progressed to a two-day weekend system and still practice schedules like 996 or alternating weekends off. Implementing a five-day work week in accordance with labor laws would be significant progress. Introducing a non-mandatory 4.5-day work system may be favorable for government employees, as they do not face salary deductions and gain an additional half-day off.”
He further added, “For blue-collar workers, including those paid by the hour with no work, no pay policy, discussing a 4.5-day work system is like depriving them of work hours and making it challenging for them to sustain a livelihood.”
Dr. Li believes that this is more of a symbolic publicity stunt without practical effect. Without enforcement on companies and lacking measures to support how businesses, especially private enterprises, should operate smoothly after reducing workdays, proposing a 4.5-day work system is unrealistic.
On social media, a user known as “NotYourTeacher” suggested that the Mianyang government promotes a 2.5-day weekend and the trial of the 4.5-day flexible work system. However, a survey by the “Bullhorse ICU” project revealed that at least eight companies in the Mianyang area fail to provide even a standard two-day weekend, with employees working six or seven days a week, including well-known state-owned and private enterprises such as China Institute of Engineering Physics, Changhong Electronics, and JD.com.