A Study on the Environment and Characteristics of Overtime Work in the Socialist Market Economy System of China: An Analysis from the Perspective of Marx's Labor Theory

In recent years, the dynamic development of new economies, industries, and models has brought significant changes to employment forms and hiring practices. Concurrently, new issues and phenomena have continually emerged in the labor and employment sector, particularly exacerbating conflicts between workers and employers due to excessive overtime work. The ‘996’ and ‘007’ work systems, which have appeared in certain industries in China, have sparked widespread societal debate and concern. The scenario depicted by Marx in the 19th century, where workers suffer due to overtime in capitalist societies, now appears to manifest in some Chinese industries and production management organizations. This paper discusses the establishment of harmonious employment relationships in a socialist market economy and the protection of workers' rights based on Marx's labor theories. Using the issue of overtime as a starting point, it analyzes the current situation in China through the theoretical foundations of Marx's concepts of the working day, absolute surplus value theory, and alienated labor theory. The study examines the basic concepts and characteristics of overtime under a socialist market economy. The analysis reveals that the causes of overtime stem from the ambiguity of working hour standards, employers' 'authorization' of flexible work methods, payment below the basic wage level for extra work, 'oppression' of workers due to high work intensity and career development pressure, and the impact of employers' 'overtime culture' and institutional environment on labor. This paper primarily proposes measures and suggestions to regulate overtime from the perspectives of improving laws and enforcement, creating a healthy working environment, and enhancing workers' capabilities. It seeks to explore basic paths for workers to 'exit' the overtime dilemma, aiming to resolve the overtime issue and effectively protect workers' labor-economic rights and interests.