Chen Xuyuan: Li Ka-shing hit a snag and laid off 18,000 employees in one go. Why?

Classic film and television works can often resonate with countless audiences and have profound significance and far-reaching influence. In 1972, the Peking opera film "Haigang" directed by Xie Jin was released. In that era when the motherland was in desperate need of development and the culture was barren, this movie came out and influenced many young people. Chen Xuyuan was only 17 years old at that time. He was a young man with burning passion. He was deeply inspired by the movie and developed a strong feeling for the sea and harbor.

1. There is the sea in his eyes and mountains and rivers in his heart

Although Chen Xuyuan is young, because of his longing for the wider unknown sea outside, he often follows ships out to sea, and sees rough waves. My heart was filled with turmoil. It can be said that Shanghai Port supported Chen Xuyuan. He received a monthly salary of 39 yuan, and an additional 20 cents subsidy every time he boarded the ship. This was already a livelihood that was enviable to others at the time. But in Chen Xuyuan's heart, there seemed to be some vacancies that had not yet been filled.

With the end of China's absurd ten years, the spring breeze of reform and opening up blew across the land of the motherland. As a small dock worker, Chen Xuyuan took advantage of the wind. With his shrewdness, he successfully He joined the Youth League Committee of the Port Authority and was later promoted to administrative cadre, leading to a smooth career. According to this development trajectory, Chen Xuyuan should have followed the rules until he retired and was happy and leisurely. However, the seeds buried in his heart when he was 17 years old had already taken root and sprouted. How could he be content with the status quo?

2. Challenging Li Ka-shing

Shanghai, a port city, has always followed international trends due to its unique geographical location and is a benchmark for the development of mainland cities. In 1990, under the policy changes, all walks of life across the country were brimming with vitality. Countless businessmen keenly smelled the smell of the "hot cakes" of Shanghai Port and filed in, hoping to get a piece of this Feng Shui treasure land. . The dilapidated Shanghai Port suddenly swelled, making it difficult to digest the surge of new blood.

In order to keep up with the pace of reform and opening up in the motherland, the problems of backward facilities and insufficient manpower must be solved. After intense discussions, the leaders of Shanghai Port finally agreed that it is very urgent to introduce foreign investment. Since Chen Xuyuan is usually smart and capable, this important task falls on his shoulders without hesitation. Chen Xuyuan made a statement to attract foreign investment. This news exploded in the entire business community. Who can watch the fat in front of them and remain indifferent? Even business tycoon Li Ka-shing has been particularly positive.

Anyone with a little bit of business acumen can see that Shanghai Port has endless potential and is really like a cornucopia. Even though Li Ka-shing was already one of the richest men in China at the time, he was still determined to win Shanghai Port. The initial negotiations went relatively smoothly, but when it came to the treatment of Shanghai Port employees, Li Ka-shing refused to treat the workers here with the treatment of world-renowned port employees on the grounds that "this place is dilapidated and backward."

Such unfair treatment naturally aroused dissatisfaction among the workers. Chen Xuyuan, thinking of his employees, immediately protested and resolutely defended the rights of the workers behind him. Li Ka-shing is so shrewd, how could he not understand the truth?

The two sides were arguing at the negotiation table, even to the point of tense situations. Li Ka-shing gave it a try and coldly said: Do you want to talk or not? If not, we are leaving! He seemed to be sure that Chen Xuyuan would give in, but Chen Xuyuan let him down. He expressed his unwillingness in stronger words and would not accept unfair treatment. In fact, Chen Xuyuan also expected that Li Ka-shing would definitely compromise, because compared with the wealth that Shanghai Port can bring to him, these benefits to workers are nothing at all.

Sure enough, Li Ka-shing had exhausted all his mechanisms and this time he hit a snag and had to give in. With the agreement on the introduction of foreign investment reached, Shanghai Port has been given wings to take off, and it has made great progress and braved the wind and waves, showing its vigorous vitality. On the list of heroes of Shanghai Port, Chen Xuyuan left a mark and deserved it.

3. 18,000 layoffs, never forgotten

Although Chen Xuyuan sought his position and was dedicated to the interests of Shanghai Port employees, things were not always smooth sailing. While Shanghai Port is developing prosperously, it has also revealed many shortcomings, the most serious of which is the problem of redundant personnel. In fact, this phenomenon exists in many state-owned enterprises. If it is solved, it will reach a new level. If it cannot be solved, it will be dragged down and even stagnant. Chen Xuyuan showed his decisive side this time.

Chen Xuyuan was determined to adjust the company's structure on a large scale and cut a large number of employees. When doing these things, he felt very uncomfortable, conflicted and complicated. Little does he know that 18,000 people is a very large number in itself. Behind these laid-off people, 18,000 families are suffering. For this reason, Chen Xuyuan often felt guilty and worried about the lives of these 18,000 people and their families. But if we don’t do this, Shanghai Port will face a huge crisis.

Chen Xuyuan was cruel and laid off 18,000 employees in one fell swoop. Shanghai Port was able to carry out operations lightly and regained new vitality. Since 1984, the throughput of Shanghai Port has grown continuously for eight years, and it took just 16 years for the throughput to increase sixfold. After Yangshan Island was merged into Shanghai Port, it has become even more powerful. From 2010 to now, Shanghai Port has ranked first in the world in throughput for 10 consecutive years, which is unshakable. All of this is inseparable from Chen Xuyuan's wise decision-making.

Chen Xuyuan has never forgotten the 18,000 workers he laid off. Therefore, after Shanghai Port took off, the tens of thousands of laid off employees enjoyed the same benefits as retired employees. Chen Xuyuan has always been grateful for their contribution and sacrifice to Shanghai Port, which has also been passed down as a good story locally.

Looking back at Chen Xuyuan’s legendary life, from a little-known employee to the Youth League Committee of the Port Authority to an administrative cadre, he walked step by step, using his life to love and repay the Shanghai that raised him. port. When he was young, he was brave enough to challenge Li Ka-shing from a worker's point of view and was not timid, and even forced the other party to submit. We have no choice but to fire employees and try our best to make up for it after we get through the difficulties. Chen Xuyuan may no longer be seen in Shanghai Port, but his legend has always been circulated.