Yahoo News Chinese startups hiring 'attractive' women to 'comfort' male coders spark sexism row
A scheme launched by tech startup businesses in China to hire attractive women to comfort overworked male coders has been branded "sexist" and "wrong".
Some companies are employing what they call “programming motivators” whose responsibilities include socialising with male workers, buying them breakfast and giving them massages, the New York Times reported.
The scheme faced backlash from people who claimed it was "misogynistic" and called for the companies to hire female coders instead.
One person tweeted: “Chinese startup tech companies are hiring attractive women to help "reduce stress" for the men who are coding. You know what would really help? Hiring female coders to split the work and reduce the stress that way. I don't know. Just a less misogynistic thought.”
Chinese startup tech companies are hiring attractive women to help "reduce stress" for the men who are coding. You know what would really help? Hiring female coders to split the work and reduce the stress that way. I don't know. Just a less misogynistic thought.
— Carlos (@bIazingxmexican) April 26, 2018
Another said: “I hope that all women someday have the ability to advance past being objects for male sexual gratification and domination.”
A third added: "Good god, patriarchy needs to die."
One shocked man wrote on Twitter: "This is SO incredibly sexist and wrong, I don’t even know where to begin."
At least seven companies are looking for "programming motivators", according to the New York Times.
One company, retail giant Alibaba, reportedly deleted an ad seeking female employees with “recognisably good looks.”
Never said objectification of women was strictly a western/US problem.
Good god, patriarchy needs to die.
https://t.co/DVK4FF4poX— Josh (@ohwhateverjosh) April 26, 2018
Such language is said to be commonplace in Chinese job listings.
Some companies boast about the presence of “beautiful women” at their companies to attract top male talent, the report added.
Chen Yue, a 25-year-old “programming motivator” who works at Chainfin.com, told the New York Times that male employees often vent to her about work frustrations – something they feel less comfortable doing with male co-workers.
Ms Yue, who has a degree in civil engineering, said she is expected to give massages to stressed-out coders and arrange social functions for the company.
China has the world’s largest number of self-made female billionaires, while many startups have women in senior roles, according to the report.
The Evening Standard has contacted Chainfin.com and Alibaba for comment.
