A social media post by a software engineer at Pinduoduo, who alleges he was fired after criticising its work practices, has added to a deepening public relations crisis at China’s fastest growing ecommerce company.

A former employee whose surname is Wang released a 15-minute video on Sunday night, in which he alleged Pinduoduo staff had to work from 300 to 380 hours a month. That would equate to a longer work week than the controversial “996” approach that is common across the Chinese technology sector, with workers expected to work from 9am to 9pm, six days a week. 

“In some teams?.?.?.?you’ll be talked to if you don’t work enough hours. (Pinduoduo’s) grocery team at headquarters is required to work at least 380 hours a month and if you work less than that you’ll be asked whether you have enough to do,” Mr Wang alleged in the video that quickly went viral on Chinese social media.