New policy: Don't buy the new iPhone or you are fired

iPhone7

Beijing: ÂÂu00c2u0080ÂÂu00c2u0088A Chinese company threatened to sack their employees if they buy expensive iPhones, sparking an online debate over the decision aimed at encouraging the employees to pay more attention to their family instead of material goods.

The company located in Nanyang City issued the warning in an official notice signed by the company's administrative department to the staff, appealing to them to support homemade products, and boycott American and Japanese goods.

"If you have so much money to buy the new Apple phone, you'd better spend your money to benefit the health of your parents and children. Do not work for such luxurious goods," state run china.org.cn reported.

The notice has raised debate after it was posted on Chinese social media. Some expressed their understanding of the company's display of patriotism, while some said the action was invalid since it violated China's labour law.

A clerk surnamed Liu explained the notice was to call on staff to pay more attention to their family instead of material goods. He said the company was further discussing the notice. "For those who had already bought an iPhone 7, I think the company won't fire them," Liu added.