6. Toleration in Practice (1): The Phenomenon of Absenteeism

This chapter introduces the problem of absenteeism in Jinjiang Factory from two aspects—the seriousness of absenteeism and the factors that lead to the workers’ absences. Using the factory’s meeting minutes, the author shows that during the late 1970s and the 1980s, the problem of absenteeism is a phenomenon existing throughout the whole factory rather than only one or two workshops. Workers’ misbehavior in working time and periodic impromptu personal matters are two main types of factors leading to workers’ absences.