KUALA LUMPUR - A Chinese company has drawn wide attention online after announcing it would give free flats to employees who complete five years of service.

The offer came to light after a job advertisement shared by a company executive stated that eligible staff would receive a flat, sparking lively discussion on social media.

The company, Zhejiang Guosheng Automotive Technology Co Ltd is based in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, and produces automotive fastener products.

It employs more than 450 workers and recorded an output value of 490 million yuan (USD70 million) in 2024.

The General manager, Wang Jiayuan said the initiative was aimed at rewarding skilled technical staff and managers in a city with a large migrant worker population.

“This year, we have distributed five flats. Next year, we plan to allocate eight more, with a total of 18 planned over three years.

“Our goal is straightforward: to attract exceptional talent and retain our core management team,” he said.

Wang said all flats are located within five kilometres of the company and range in size from 100 to 150 square metres.

Second-hand homes in the area typically cost between 7,000 and 8,500 yuan (USD990 to USD1,200) per square metre.

One married couple working at the company has already received a 144 square metre flat.

Employees must sign a housing agreement and move in after renovations, with ownership transferred after five years of service and renovation costs repaid to the company.

Wang said the firm has bought 18 flats so far, investing more than 10 million yuan, with five homes given out this year.

Two of the flats went to employees who rose from entry-level jobs to management roles within the company.

He said the positions require experience and skills that cannot be mastered quickly by new graduates.

Wang added that the scheme also helps reduce operating costs and improve management quality.

“If these employees work diligently, helping the company save a million yuan annually isn’t out of the question, right?” he stated.

The Chairman, Tu Kaicun said the plan also aims to reward mid-level managers and attract talent from cities such as Shanghai and Suzhou to settle in Wenzhou.

The move drew comparisons with other Chinese firms known for unusual staff benefits, including policies focused on employee well-being.