Li
Li is a worker responsible for packaging and logistics distribution. Despite holding a strong degree in welding, he never pursued it because, as he explained, he was too young at the time and lacked guanxi (connections) in factories to find a person to guide him in this skill.
When I visited him, I noticed there should have been two workers at the station, but only Li was present. He explained that it was too hot upstairs, so his colleague, who was older and held a higher status, frequently took breaks downstairs for the air conditioning. As the junior worker, Li had to remain upstairs to handle the work.
Upstairs attic
I met him in the corner of the factory attic, where the heat was almost unbearable. When I asked why, he explained that the attic was a recent addition, built to expand storage space, but the metallic ceiling traps heat. Even with two air conditioners running upstairs, the temperature felt like 40 degrees. Li endured this heat 7 hours a day for the benefit paid to “harsh working environment” workers, because he has two daughters and wife to taken care of back in his hometown Qingyuan.
