996ICU

996ICU refers to a social movement and online community that emerged in China in 2018 to protest the extreme work schedules commonly seen in the country's technology and internet sectors. The term derives from the “996” work model, which means working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, and the medical abbreviation ICU, implying that such schedules can cause severe health problems. The hashtag #996ICU quickly spread on Sina Weibo and other social media platforms, highlighting stories of burnout, sleep deprivation, and mental distress among tech workers.

In mid‑2018, a website named 996.ICU was launched by a group of software engineers. The site served as a repository for firsthand accounts of overwork, a guide for legal and health resources, and a platform for organizing petitions and public demonstrations. It also featured statistics on working hours, occupational injuries, and related legal cases. The movement gained significant attention when a lawsuit was filed against a Chinese internet company for violating labor laws, and when several high‑profile tech executives publicly endorsed the cause.

Although the Chinese government eventually tightened the enforcement of labor regulations in response to public pressure, many workers continue to face demanding schedules, and 996ICU remains an active forum for discussion, solidarity, and advocacy. The movement has inspired similar labor‑rights campaigns across Asia and has been cited by international labor organizations examining the limits of workplace productivity cultures.