In a shocking incident from China, an employee was subjected to extreme measures in an attempt to force his resignation. The employee, identified as Liu, found himself confined to a “small dark room” for four days by his employer, Guangzhou Duoyi Network Co. Ltd., amidst a labor dispute.
The ordeal began in December 2022 when Liu discovered he could no longer access his workplace systems or admission pass, following discussions over his resignation. He was then led to a room on a different floor, supposedly for “training,” but instead found himself in complete darkness. The room lacked basic amenities, including computers and colleagues, with only a table and chair for furniture, according to reports from the South China Morning Post.
During the four-day confinement, Liu was allegedly not given any work assignments and had his phone confiscated, although he was allowed to leave after work hours. It was only after his wife filed a police report on his behalf that the company formally terminated his employment on the fifth day.
Guangzhou Duoyi Network accused Liu of violating company rules as a pretext for avoiding compensation, citing allegations of viewing inappropriate content during work hours. However, Liu, who worked as a game art editor, maintained that such content was necessary for his job.
The case escalated to court, where a district-level court in Sichuan province ruled in Liu’s favor in May 2024, awarding him 380,000 yuan (US$52,200) in compensation. In response, the company publicly challenged the verdict on its official Weibo account, criticizing the interpretation of labor laws by the judiciary.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions on workers’ rights and employer practices in China, highlighting concerns over workplace safety and ethical standards. It also underscores the challenges employees face in navigating labor disputes against powerful corporations.
Sources By Agencies
