Student workers forced to eat raw eggs as punishment for underperforming

Seventeen college student workers in Central China were forced to eat raw eggs and bitter melons because of their poor work performance.

Authorities are now investigating the photo studio in Yichang, Central China’s Hubei Province for abuses after employing the students for part-time summer work.

The owner of the studio surnamed Yan said the employees were being punished because they had failed to make sales on their first day.

The students were hired to work 10 days for a daily salary of 50 yuan ($8).

Yan said the punishment was part of “company culture” to motivate students. Some students didn’t show up the next day. One of the employees complained of stomach aches from eating raw eggs.

When her parents called looking for an explanation, Yan refused to apologize, adding she could “quit the job at any time,” media reported.

Local human resources authorities were informed and are now investigating the case.

Photo: IC Catalan ‘castellers’ create a human castle on the National Mall in Washington, DC, US on Saturday. The tradition, usually performed at festivals, dates back to the 18th century and is listed as a UNESCO intangible heritage.