Chinese live-streamer makes less than $1 after a month's work, ridiculed as 'idiot' by company employees

By Phong Ngo November 6, 2024 | 08:59 pm PT

A part-time live-streamer in China earned just 0.3 yuan (less than US$1) after streaming for a month and was labeled an "idiot" and "bumpkin" by company staff.

Yao, who found the job through a social media platform, initially signed up to stream full-time for 6 hours a day. He later switched to a three-hour daily schedule, which the company accepted, according to SCMP.

On Sept. 23, a company representative told him that part-time streamers like him would not get a base salary but would instead make a 38% commission. The company's base salaries for full-timers were reportedly 4,000 yuan for 6 hours and 6,000 yuan for 9 hours daily.

Yao received only 0.3 yuan for his month's work, paid via online transactions. "It is really unfair. It felt like they were exploiting me as free labour," Yao stated.

Additionally, video footage revealed staff members mocking him, with one commenting: "The labour law does not protect idiots. Can you even afford a lawyer?"

A live streamer. Illustration by Pexels

The company's legal representative, Xu Jiqun, explained that the promised base pay is reserved for live-streamers who meet certain hourly thresholds, which Yao, as a part-timer, did not. Xu referred to the 0.3 yuan as a "service subsidy" but did not explain the calculation behind it.

Regarding the insults, Xu remarked: "If he was insulted, he can insult back or report it to the police."

The incident has led to an uproar online, with comments such as: "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."