A live streamer in China who earned less than US$1 a month had to endure constant insults from fellow company staff. - Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock
BEIJING (SCMP): A man in China working as a part-time live-streaming anchor who earns just 0.3 yuan (less than US$1) per month has been insulted by company staff as an “idiot” and a “bumpkin”.
The plight of the online worker has attracted widespread sympathy and sparked a heated discussion on mainland social media.
On October 28, the 38-year-old, surnamed Yao, from Changsha, Hunan province in southern China, told the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald that he felt scammed into providing free labour by the Henan-based Yutai Cultural Media Company.
Yao had found the job opportunity on a recruitment website in September.
The job advert described the position as a part-time, voice-based and talent-focused live-streaming anchor on a social media platform.
The job requred Yao to sing and play games while interacting with the audience online. - Photo: Douyin
The role involved chatting with audiences, singing, playing games and engaging in live interactions.
Initially, he agreed to work full-time, live-streaming for six hours a day.
However, he later requested to switch to part-time and live-stream for just three hours a day, which the company approved.
The date he started working and transitioned from full-time to part-time roles has not been disclosed.
On September 23, an operations staff member informed him that as a part-time anchor streaming three hours a day, he would not receive a base salary but would instead earn a 38-per-cent commission on his earnings, according to records circulated online.
The staff member also said that the monthly base salary for live-streaming six hours per day was 4,000 yuan (US$560), and for nine hours, the figure was 6,000 yuan.
However, after what Yao claimed was one month of live-streaming, he had only received 0.3 yuan from the company, paid through online transactions, along with an additional 150 yuan in gift tips from viewers.
“It is really unfair. It felt like they were exploiting me as free labour,” said Yao.
“I am demanding at least half of the six-hour base pay, which is 2,000 yuan, along with an apology from the operations staff.”
During a dispute, online records revealed the operation staff insulting Yao, calling him an “idiot” and “bumpkin” and stating: “The labour law does not protect idiots. Can you even afford a lawyer?”
Yao retorted: “You are the real bumpkin here.”
Initially Yao agreed to work full-time as a live-streamer but then went part-time. - Photo: Shutterstock
On October 28, Xu Jiqun, the legal representative of the company, told Xiaoxiang Morning Herald that base pay is awarded only when streamers meet specific hourly requirements.
These requirements do not apply to part-time employees like Yao, the legal representative said, adding that this policy was clearly communicated during the recruitment process.
Xu said that the 0.3 yuan paid to Yao was a “service subsidy” but did not clarify how it was calculated.
Regarding the reported insults, Xu said: “If he was insulted, he can insult back or report it to the police.”
On October 30, a netizen, claiming to be the operations staff member involved alleged that Yao, who only worked for seven days, was uncooperative, displayed “negative behaviour”, and even slept during live-streams.
Yao is currently considering filing a formal complaint to the relevant authorities.
The incident has ignited a backlash online.
One person quipped: “He should apply for Guinness World Records for the lowest monthly income. If he earned the title, the award would probably be more than 0.3 yuan.”
While another added: “I am able to get 0.5 yuan cashback for a good online review after a purchase order. This salary is really insane." - SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST
