Chinese company makes underperforming workers eat pungent bitter gourd
What's the story
A company in China is facing criticism online for a rather unusual punishment.
Employees who didn't meet their targets were forced to eat raw bitter gourd.
The company, Suzhou Danao Fangchengshi Information Consulting, implemented this strange disciplinary measure, as revealed in a video posted by an employee.
The company claims it was part of a reward-and-punishment system agreed upon by the employees involved.
Social media
12 employees forced to eat pungent-smelling raw bitter gourd
In a video shared on June 15 by an employee named Zhong of the Jiangsu province-based education and training company, it was exposed that the company forced 12 employees to eat pungent-smelling raw bitter gourd as a form of punishment.
This incident has sparked a significant online backlash, drawing attention to the company's questionable practices and raising concerns about employee welfare and treatment.
Spokesperson
'Part of a reward-and-punishment system': Management
The company's spokesperson told media outlet Baixing Guanzhu, the punishment was part of a reward-and-punishment system that was created and agreed upon by the team of employees featured in the video.
"People naturally avoid pain and pursue happiness. If they don't want to eat bitter melons, they will work hard at their best," the spokesperson claimed.
Reactions
The incident sparked acrimonious reactions from people
On the Chinese social media platform Douyin, one person commented, "I literally laughed when I heard it was 'voluntary'. We live in such a difficult time."
Another said, "I would rather the company fire people than punish them in such a humiliating way."
Many others shared their experiences of irrational punishments from employers, including eating wasabi and chili peppers, and even drinking toilet water!
Another incident
Last year, another company forced employees to eat bitter gourd
Last year in October, a Zhejiang province-based company gained widespread attention when it enforced a punishment for employees who lost in a sales competition. The penalty involved eating bitter gourd with wasabi.
An unnamed employee in the video post commented, "The bitterness of a bitter melon is only momentary, but the bitterness of life lasts forever. The company's punishment motivated us to work harder."
Frog jumps
Woman punished with 50 frog jumps for leaving desk briefly
Last year in September, a saleswoman employed by a real estate company in Hubei province, China, faced a distressing punishment.
She left work for a few minutes to move her car but upon her return, she was ordered to perform 50 frog jumps while keeping her high heels on.
This punitive action resulted in muscle injuries, causing her physical harm.
2016
In 2016, a similar incident happened
Back in 2016, another incident at a company called Leshang Decorations Corporation in Chongqing garnered widespread criticism for forcing 40 out of 100 employees to eat bitter gourd in front of their co-workers because they didn't meet their sales goals.
If anyone spat out the gourd, they were made to eat more. The company claimed it was a way to motivate unproductive workers.
Repeated violation
Workers endure unfair treatment due to job security fears
These incidents are not isolated occurrences. Chinese companies have been repeatedly involved in violating labor laws.
While Chinese labor laws grant employees the right to negotiate contracts and challenge rules they deem inappropriate, many employees hesitate to exercise these rights due to the fear of job loss.
Due to this fear workers are often subjected to unfair treatment, exploitation, and disregard for their rights.