After Super Typhoon Ragasa forced shutdowns across many Guangdong cities, residents raised concerns over wage and leave arrangements, with some companies reportedly asking staff to use annual leave or compensatory time off for the missed workday.
The Guangzhou Federation of Trade Unions said Wednesday that employers cannot offset typhoon-related work stoppages with leave and must pay employees their full wages.
The trade union cited labor regulations stating that while compensatory leave or overtime applies to work on rest days, typhoon suspensions result from natural disasters rather than employees. Wages should therefore be paid as if normal hours were worked.
Shenzhen's Nanshan district echoed this stance, emphasizing that wages cannot be withheld or offset during typhoon stoppages.
Legal experts noted that it is unlawful for firms to arrange weekend make-up shifts. Under labor rules, stoppages caused by natural disasters of less than 30 days must be paid at regular rates, and companies that fail to comply with the relevant suspension measures may face administrative penalties.