Why don’t Chinese workers get more leave?

为何中国工人不能获得更多的假期?

Asia Specific

2026-02-18

23 分钟
PDF

单集简介 ...

Chinese workers officially get nine days off for this Lunar New Year – the longest stretch of public holiday on record. But, as millions move around the country in the annual travel rush, they’ve found there’s a catch. Some of those days must be made up by working weekends. Many workers are guaranteed just five days of paid annual leave, far fewer than in other major economies. And the work culture has sparked debate around burnout and work-life balance. In this episode, host Mariko Oi speaks to the BBC’s China correspondent Stephen McDonell in Beijing and Fan Wang from BBC News in Singapore. They examine China’s work leave issue and if the culture around it can change. Asia Specific unpacks Asia Pacific stories by those who know it best. Bringing you essential insights and conversations on the stories shaping the region - an economic powerhouse, geo-political flashpoint and the birthplace of global cultural trends. Hear Asian perspectives on international issues and in-depth analysis on news from a region that’s home to nearly 2.5 billion people. Whether it is the latest on trade between the US and China, the rise and fall of political dynasties in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, or South Korea’s K-pop inspired soft power strategy, we find out what key players are thinking and dive into the stories that matter. Hosted in Singapore by Mariko Oi, alongside BBC experts in Beijing, Bangkok, and beyond – listen to new episodes twice a week. Episodes of Asia Specific are also available on YouTube, here: https://bit.ly/4iJyeVt Get in touch: asiaspecific@bbc.co.uk
更多

单集文稿 ...

  • You know, um, usually when we talk about record-breaking numbers on this deep dive,

  • we're looking at, I don't know, tech valuations or maybe data processing speeds.

  • Right, or like the distance to some newly discovered exoplanet, something abstract.

  • Exactly, something abstract.

  • But today, I want you to try and visualize a movement of people.

  • A movement so massive and so, um, concentrated that it effectively just empties out

  • one of the most populous megacities on Earth.

  • Yeah, it really is a logistical event that makes a, makes the Thanksgiving travel rush in the US

  • look like a quiet Sunday drive to the grocery store.

  • Totally.

  • We are talking about the Lunar New Year, specifically the Spring Festival in China.

  • And the numbers we pulled from our source material are, well,

  • they really require a bit of mental gymnastics to actually comprehend.

  • They really do.

  • I mean, it is the single largest annual human migration on the planet.

  • And to understand the sheer scale of it,

  • you have to look at the data coming out of the Chinese Transport Ministry.

  • We are looking at a projection of 9.5 billion passenger trips.

  • Oh.

  • Okay, let's just, let's stop there immediately because you said billion.