A Chinese student and video game streamer has died from possible exhaustion after livestreaming for five nights in a row.
He was a final-year student at Pingdingshan Vocational and Technical College in Henan, with the surname Li.
He was hired by a Chinese media company to stream as part of an internship requirement so he could graduate in June 2024.
His goal was to live stream for 240 hours in just 26 days and upload 15 short clips to earn a minimum salary of only 3000 yuan (£323)
According to the contract’s terms, he would have had to stream for 38.4% of the 26 days he was contacted for, in addition to his schoolwork and other commitments.
Li’s roommates, who shared a Zhengzhou rental house, discovered him breathing rapidly and unresponsive while he slept, so they dialed 911.
He had livestreamed for Henan Yihui Culture Media from 9 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the five days prior to his death on November 10, according to records obtained by a Chinese news outlet.
According to his father, he was under pressure to switch to the night shift in order to receive larger tips.
The business refuted allegations that it forced him to work nights, but a representative acknowledged to Chinese media that many of their livestreamers had trouble juggling work and personal obligations.
The representative refuted Li’s claims that he was an intern or official employee, saying instead that “it’s just a simple cooperation with us providing the location and taking a commission from his tips.”
The family was allegedly offered only 5000 Yuan (£555) by the company, but they were told that they would have to pursue legal action if they wanted any more compensation.
Li’s father stated that he was submitting claims for compensation through insurance companies, although it is unclear at this time if he will file a lawsuit against the company.
However, according to Dailymail, his son’s school had offered support and legal counsel.
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