Chinese therapist helps parents sort waste after full-time hospital job, earns more there than at hospital

A Chinese woman has gone viral after her post on her part-time waste collection job.

The 26-year-old, surnamed Xiong, said she could earn more from the waste collection than her full-time therapist role at the rehab department at a small private hospital in Chengdu, which nets her about 4,000 yuan a month (S$713).

According to SCMP, after her full time work from 8am to 5.30pm, Xiong heads off to her parents' waste recycling station, which mainly deals with metal waste, where she helps them "sort, carry, transport and sell the recyclables".

This usually takes till 9pm. So it's technically a 13-hour workday for her.

SCMP reported that although she doesn't draw a salary, her parents often give her pin money, which in total surpasses the income from her full-time hospital job.

Still, Xiong is not complaining.

"As long as I can make money, what's there to mind? The monthly salary in the hospital is 4,000 yuan a month (S$713), and I can earn more money at the recycling station than in the hospital," she added.

She said she is used to the strenuous work, having helped her parents out since she was a child.

"If I do more, they can do less."

She also noted that the work has led to some gains.

And while she says metal waste is not as dirty as other types of waste, Xiong also pays careful attention to her personal hygiene when she works in the hospital during the day.

Image from Weibo via Chinese media