A Chinese company has faced criticism after a social media user exposed a shocking team-building activity in which employees had to eat fire. The practice, which involves workers putting burning cotton buds into their mouths, is said to be a bizarre way of helping employees overcome fear and build confidence. The incident has sparked outrage across the country as many criticize the company for dangerous and coercive methods.

The former employee, Rongrong, shared her experience on a major Chinese social media platform with shocking details about the horrific experiment. According to her story, she was forced to join the fire-eating exercise despite the fact that she was terrified. She had been participating in a two-day team-building activity where, at one point, she would be asked to put a burning cotton bud in her mouth.

Rongrong had only worked for the company for a year when she stated that she had no other choice but to take part. If she didn't, her job would be compromised. The company is an educational organization that exists in Liaoning province and separated 60 participants into six groups that would all participate in the fire-eating stunt.

According to Rongrong, the fire-eating exercise was intended to demonstrate to the company's leadership that the employees were determined, ambitious, and eager to succeed. "The purpose was to show the company's leadership our determination. To show that we wanted to win, and we wanted to make money," she explained.

However, many believe the stunt was far more than just a team-building exercise. One internet user commented that fire-eating, often seen in acrobatic performances, works by extinguishing the flame when the mouth closes, cutting off the oxygen supply. Others argued that it was a "disguised obedience test," intended to demonstrate control over employees.

Rongrong has since vowed to take action, stating that the fire-eating practice was a clear violation of labor laws. She plans to file a formal complaint against the company with the relevant authorities. Meanwhile, the company has yet to issue a public response to the allegations.

The incident has called for an online outcry of outrage against the firm's actions, as many netizens have denounced the company.

One user, while sharing an experience, commented that in his workplace exercise, the employees had to trust each other to catch them if they fell backwards, and during this exercise, some people sustained injuries because not all were caught.

This is not an isolated case, as several Chinese companies reportedly included fire-eating as part of their team-building activities. Some have claimed that this can help build self-confidence and unlock employees' potential. A company based in eastern China, Renzhong Team-Building, advertised fire-eating as an activity included in its services on its website.

Under Chinese law, employees are protected from unreasonable practices that infringe on their rights. Employers who engage in such practices can face warnings and may be required to compensate affected employees. Despite this, the incident in question raises concerns about the need for stronger labor protections, as some companies continue to use extreme methods in their attempts to control their staff.