The glorification of the model worker (劳模) in China is old; the image of the selfless “little bee” sacrificing itself for the good of the entire nation continues to be relevant. During the pandemic, construction workers, healthcare professionals and delivery workers were praised -though sometimes not properly paid- for their hard work. David Bandurski, director of the China Media Project and editor of CLB’s report “Reimagining Workers’ Rights in China”, talks to us about the evolution of this infantilising construct. “Labour is the source of all gratification,” said Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a model worker commendation event in 2020. The glorification of work as sacrifice does not credit workers, it cheapens them and invites their exploitation.Redefining model worker, David urges us to imagine workers representing themselves, averting gruesome and hazardous working conditions through functioning unions bargaining with their employers. Wouldn’t this contribute to the economy and national well-being?