ChinaTalk China's exploited tech workers fight back
Apr 10, 2019
In this discussion, Suji Yan, CEO of Dimension and co-author of the Anti-996 License, and Katt Gu, J.D. and PhD candidate in informatics, delve into the harsh realities of China's 996 work culture. They reveal how they mobilized tech workers against labor exploitation through innovative licensing that emphasizes ethical labor practices. Their insights touch on the evolving Chinese tech landscape and the importance of open-source software in fostering a fairer work environment, as they advocate for standardized labor rights in the industry.
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Global Overwork
- Katt Gu highlights that overwork isn't unique to China; it's also present in US startups.
- "Crunch time" in the gaming industry illustrates similar overwork issues, as reported by Kotaku.
Programmer Leverage
- Suji and Katt acknowledge other overworked laborers but emphasize programmers' unique position.
- Programmers' high skills and international connections provide them leverage to address labor issues.
License Origin
- The Anti-996 license idea originated from a GitHub issue, not from Suji Yan and Katt Gu directly.
- Katt, initially hesitant, joined due to its alignment with her research on law and technology.