The Dilemma of Working Hours [Intermediate]

Chinese Short Dialogue

The increasing working hours of Chinese people have sparked a discussion between 黄刚 and 陈花. They explore the reasons behind and impacts of this phenomenon from social and personal perspectives.

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English Translation

黄刚: Hey, have you noticed that the discussion about '996' has heated up again recently? It seems like everyone's working hours are getting longer, and there's not enough rest time.
陈花: Yeah, many of my friends are like that. They work overtime until late at night, and often have to work on weekends too. It feels like they're turning into work machines.
黄刚: I saw a report today saying that the average weekly working hours of Chinese workers are nearly 50 hours now, which is more than in many developed countries.
陈花: Really? Does longer working hours necessarily mean higher efficiency? I think long hours of work might actually decrease efficiency and it's not good for health either.
黄刚: Exactly, but now many companies keep pushing their employees to pursue efficiency and profits. Plus, with intense social competition, many people are afraid of losing their jobs, so they can only grit their teeth and work overtime.
陈花: Yeah, it's really tough. I hope the government can introduce some policies to protect workers' rest time, so that everyone can find a balance between work and life.