China Increases Penalties For Workplace Safety Violations

China’s top legislature on Thursday adopted an amendment to the Law on Workplace Safety.

The amendment stipulated heavier penalties for workplace safety violations by production and business operation entities and their responsible persons.

It also added provisions concerning the new situation of workplace safety in emerging industries, including the platform economy, as well as other prominent problems affecting workplace safety efforts.

Lawmakers approved the amendment at the closing meeting of a regular legislative session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, which started in Beijing on Monday.

The latest amendment would come into force on September 1.

China is undeniably a safer place to work than it was a decade ago. However, accident rates, death tolls and the incidence of occupational disease are all still comparatively high, with about 81 deaths from work-related accidents each day on average in 2019, according to official figures.

New work hazards have emerged as the economy develops, and many employers continue to prioritise productivity and profit well above work safety.