The eight-hour work system was first put forward by British sociologist robert owen in August of 18 17. 1833, with Owen's support, compassionate factory owner John Holti and others launched an eight-hour working day movement. 1866, the first international Geneva conference put forward the slogan of "eight hours of work, eight hours of self-control, eight hours of rest", requiring countries to enact laws to confirm it.

The working hours system in China was first stipulated in the constitutional program of China People's Political Consultative Conference, which was adopted on September 29th, 1949. Public and private enterprises generally implement the working hour system of 8 hours to 10 hour.