In recent months, an online campaign titled “Give Cleaning Aunties a Proper Lounge” has gained momentum, led by Gen-Z college students across China. The movement highlights the poor working conditions of cleaning staff, most of whom are women, employed in schools, office buildings, shopping malls and other public institutions. Many cleaners are forced to rest in small, cramped cubicles within public restrooms, often eating their meals there due to a lack of proper facilities.
Students nationwide are using their smartphones to document these conditions, posting photos online to draw attention to the issue. The viral campaign has led to a growing call for workplace reform, demanding that public institutions provide dedicated rest areas for cleaning staff.
A standardized proposal has emerged from the movement: activists urge institutions to establish independent lounges for cleaners, equipped with essentials such as hot water, lockers, folding mattresses, medical kits, power sockets and microwaves. Supporters argue that recognizing and protecting sanitation workers’ rights is a matter of basic human dignity.
The hashtag “Cleaning Aunties” has attracted over 110 million views and 423,000 posts on RedNote, reflecting widespread public concern. Many netizens have praised the students’ activism, with some universities and office buildings now pledging to improve break areas for their cleaning staff.
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