a form of protest in which employees do exactly what is stated in their contracts, and nothing more, in order to slow down production

A work-to-rule is seen as a way to protest against low pay or bad working conditions. 大多数的变相怠工都是对低工资或恶劣工作环境的抗议。

to arrange and perform a work-to-rule

So far, the refuse collectors have not resorted to a strike but are working to rule. 迄今为止，清洁工人们还没有进行罢工，只是严格按章工作变相怠工。