6th January 2025 – (Shanghai) A company in mainland China has been established specifically for the unemployed, allowing individuals to pay 29.9 yuan per day to enjoy a “working” experience. Dubbed the “Pretend to Work Company,” this venture has captured the attention of countless netizens.
According to reports from NetEase, the company provides a highly realistic office environment complete with desks, chairs, computers, and even lunch. Operating hours are from 10am to 5pm, and employees are not required to clock in, with unrestricted phone use permitted. Currently, there are still 15 positions available.
The company’s owner, in a media interview, explained that the service was created in response to China’s economic downturn, characterised by weak domestic demand and foreign capital withdrawal, which has led to persistently high unemployment rates. He stated, “If you are unemployed but don’t want your family to know, you can come here to pretend to work.” He also mentioned that regular “inspections” would be conducted to emulate the authentic office experience, allowing employees to enjoy the freedom of refusing tasks or even “slamming the table.”
This service has sparked lively discussions online, with many users commenting, “Paid work finally exists!” and asking, “Where’s the company? I want to try it!” Others have jokingly referred to it as a “restaurant version of work” and raised concerns about how to manage without a paycheck at the end of the month, while some noted it was “more appealing than an internet café.”
