"Company Claims Transparent Disclosure of Workflow"
Local Lawyer Says "No Violation of Portrait Rights"
Recently, a Chinese company sparked controversy by live streaming its employees working in the office over the weekend, claiming it was to gain customer trust.
On April 30, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that a snack wholesale company based in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China, broadcasted a live stream of about 15 employees working over the weekend through a short-form platform.
A Chinese company is causing controversy by live streaming its employees working online. Photo by Pixabay
Regarding this, the company owner stated in an interview with local Chinese media that the purpose was "to transparently show the company's workflow and gain customer trust." The owner further pointed out, "Some companies claim to have their own teams, but in reality, they outsource the work," and emphasized, "We have built a team with our own dedicated employees."
The company owner claimed, "Employees did not complain about the live broadcast cameras being on during working hours." One employee commented on the live streaming, saying, "Just as many people live stream while traveling, this is also a natural thing."
However, some have raised concerns about the employees' portrait rights and privacy protection. Legal experts analyzed that the company did not violate portrait rights because it had obtained the employees' consent. However, they explained that "the company must comply with overtime work limits under labor law." Chinese labor law stipulates that overtime work must not exceed three hours per day and 36 hours per month, and at least one day off per week must be guaranteed.
The company currently employs 50 people, and according to data released in 2023, only 13 of them were enrolled in insurance. The number of employees enrolled in insurance can be interpreted as an indicator reflecting the actual number of staff.
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