Rapid Response: Illegal Overtime Is Not Automatically Forced Labour—Enforce Both Standards Precisely

RAPID RESPONSE | September 5, 2026 | P5-EVT-2026-0904-18

A “996” schedule can violate Mainland Chinese overtime limits, but unlawful overtime is not automatically forced labour. Forced labour requires coercion or menace of penalty and lack of genuine voluntariness. Free China calls for enforcement of working-time law, protection from retaliation, independent reporting, and supply-chain due diligence focused on coercion, document retention, wage withholding, threats and inability to leave.

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