中国人工作时长结束9年连涨，但还远远不够

Core Viewpoint - The long working hours in China's labor market reflect low employment quality, and there is a need to adjust the minimum wage standards for full-time workers to an hourly basis to address this issue [1][4][28]. Group 1: Working Hours Trends - After nine consecutive years of growth, the average weekly working hours for employees in China have shown a slight decline in 2025, with all months except January reporting lower hours compared to the same period in 2024 [2][21]. - The average weekly working hours in China remain high, exceeding the legal standards of 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week, indicating a significant issue in the labor market [4][8]. - The proportion of urban employed individuals working over 48 hours per week increased from 50.2% in 2018 to 44.6% in 2022, highlighting the persistent issue of excessive working hours [14]. Group 2: Factors Influencing Working Hours - The increase in average working hours since 2016 is not solely explained by economic cycles, as China's GDP growth has been declining while working hours have continued to rise [8][9]. - Rising fixed costs for companies, including social insurance expenses, have led businesses to extend working hours instead of hiring more employees to maximize profits [9][10]. - The mismatch between actual working hours and workers' desired hours contributes to job dissatisfaction and reflects the low quality of employment [12]. Group 3: Structural Issues in Employment - The coexistence of long working hours and insufficient working hours in different sectors indicates structural contradictions in labor allocation in China [16]. - Competitive industries, such as hospitality and construction, tend to have longer working hours, while government sectors and individual businesses often experience insufficient working hours [17][19]. - The issue of insufficient working hours is particularly pronounced among women, low-educated individuals, and those in informal employment, leading to increased income inequality [19]. Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - To address the issue of excessive working hours, it is essential to enhance macroeconomic demand by increasing the income of low- and middle-income groups, thereby boosting their consumption capacity [22]. - Reducing the social insurance burden on companies is crucial, as China's social insurance costs are among the highest globally [22]. - Adjusting the wage determination mechanism for full-time workers to an hourly basis, similar to non-full-time workers, is recommended to improve employment quality [23][24].