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An internal notice revealed that Zongmu would shut its doors on February 8th, 2025, stating that power would be cut and the premises would be sealed. Employees were barely given the chance to gather their belongings before the company security escorted them out. This announcement came on the heels of persistent delays in wage payments, which had already become a troubling issue for staff since November 2024.
The founder of Zongmu, Tong Ray, has reportedly fled the country, allegedly heading to the U.S. after the Chinese New Year break. With management missing and communication lines severed, employees were left without guidance or means to claim their overdue salaries, some of which remained unpaid for nearly five months.