Chinese camera company offers cash rewards to to employees for dating

 Insta360, a camera company based in Shenzhen, China, launched a dating program that rewards its employees with cash prizes to find romantic partners. The company aims to increase employees' sense of belonging and enhance their overall happiness through this initiative.

Through the program, Insta360 employees can earn 66 yuan (approximately $9) for each valid post introducing single individuals outside the company to its dedicated online dating platform. Employees who act as matchmakers are encouraged to introduce potential partners for their colleagues. In addition, Insta360 offers an additional 1,000 yuan (approximately $138) to couples who maintain relationships for three months, and the same amount is given to employees who facilitate these matches.

By November 11, Insta360 employees published nearly 500 posts on the company's forum related to the initiative. The dating initiative began less than three months ago and has already captured widespread attention, with many employees in relationships expected to benefit from the bonus.

The initiative received positive responses from employees, with comments on social media expressing interest in job openings.

"My company is more eager than my mum," one employee jokingly said.

South China Morning Post, Asia Economy, and News18 were among the outlets that reported on the problem.

Not all reactions were favorable. "Love should not be measured by money," one commentator noted. Some view the program as perpetuating gender objectification and age-based discrimination.

Women in China took to social media to express frustration about government initiatives related to marriage and childbirth, reporting that neighborhood committees—China's grassroots government units—had contacted them to ask about their family planning intentions.

Similar initiatives have emerged elsewhere in China. In October, Shanxi province introduced a new policy offering 1,500 yuan (around $207) to couples registering their first marriage, provided the woman is 35 or younger. One social media user commented, "I don't avoid marriage or having children because of a lack of 1,500 yuan; it's due to my concerns about job security and stability." Previously, some Chinese universities gave students a week off to search for love, reflecting the broader concern over declining birth and marriage rates in the country.

The declining population in China has become a cause for concern, particularly in light of the significant drop in both marriage and birth rates. In the first three quarters of 2023, 4.74 million couples registered marriages, down 16.6% from 5.69 million in the same period last year. China's birth rate is rapidly declining, falling to a record low of 6.39 births per 1,000 people in 2023, down from 6.77 in 2022.

Insta360 says the step has been taken to keep single employees happy. Despite differing opinions, many people who have been in a relationship for three months will benefit from this bonus.

The program has also sparked discussions on social media platforms like Douyin. Another Douyin user humorously asked, "Does the company have any recruitment plans?" indicating interest in job openings. An individual disagreed with the idea, stating, "Love should not be measured by money."

Despite the mixed reactions, the program reflects the company's proactive approach to employee well-being amid a national context of declining marriage and birth rates. Insta360 has distributed nearly 10,000 yuan to individuals who shared posts about singles and had already paid out around 10,000 yuan in cash incentives by mid-November 2023.

China's declining population has prompted various entities to introduce measures encouraging marriage and procreation. The government's concern over the significant drop in birth and marriage rates has led to policies like the one in Shanxi province. However, these initiatives have been met with both support and skepticism from the public.

Women have expressed frustration over pressure to marry and have children, with reports of neighborhood committees contacting them about their family planning intentions. One social media user highlighted deeper concerns, stating, "I don't avoid marriage or having children because of a lack of 1,500 yuan; it's due to my concerns about job security and stability."

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq