Amid the economic downturn in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime, the employment market has become increasingly challenging. Some employers have resorted to setting no lower limit on labor conditions, which has led to the emergence of a new term called “unpaid trial employment.” In simple terms, this refers to a trial period where no wages are paid, essentially turning the probation period into a “free labor period,” sparking dissatisfaction among the public.
Certain companies are implementing so-called trial periods ranging from 3 to 10 days after interviews, during which no salary is provided. As the end of the trial period approaches, laborers are dismissed for reasons such as “lack of experience” or “mismatched position,” and they are denied rightful labor compensation. Due to the absence of a signed labor contract, laborers are unable to prove their actual employment status, lacking a basis for demanding payment and turning many individuals’ probation periods into a futile endeavor.
A media professional in mainland China, who chose the pseudonym Li Ming, expressed to Dajiyuan, “The prevalence of unpaid trial employment in the workplace is mainly due to the high number of unemployed individuals and intense job market pressure. On one hand, it is indeed difficult to secure employment as foreign companies withdraw and multinational corporations depart, leaving people without jobs, which inevitably leads to a lack of employment prospects.”
“Another factor is the policy pressure from the CCP. Despite external claims of a stable and improving economy, the reality is quite different. Due to low employment rates and unfavorable statistics, labor departments mandate active job placements. With over ten million university graduates without employment, the situation looks grim. This forced scenario compels students to secure jobs and employers to sign contracts, only then to issue graduation certificates,” Li Ming stated.
A university lecturer in mainland China, using the alias Gu Yue, told Dajiyuan, “The CCP is defying natural laws by turning the illegal practice of exploiting the common people into something that seems voluntary, almost legitimizing it. The lack of compensation for labor reflects the economic conditions in society, characterized by rampant unemployment and factory closures.”
Gu Yue emphasized, “The officialdom under the CCP regime operates like a utopian management system, where they do not truly contribute to the people. Instead, it’s the grassroots populace putting in the labor without receiving adequate remuneration, which goes against market principles.”
Online commentators voiced their concerns, “It’s outrageous! I’ve gone through numerous trials – the first one week, the second three weeks, the third one week, all without pay, essentially working at a loss. I’m reluctant to search for jobs anymore.”
Another internet user expressed, “Businesses engaging in unpaid trial employment and then laying off workers with various excuses near the end of the period, essentially getting free labor, blatantly exploit the trial employment system.”
There were also comments reflecting apprehension, “I’m genuinely afraid to seek employment now. It’s all unpaid trials, and before the trial ends, they dismiss you with no payment whatsoever. It’s like paying to work, better off staying unemployed at home to save money.”