Many thousands of Chinese workers are dying needlessly every year in China because their workplaces do not pay proper attention to the health and safety of their employees. In 2002, reports state that over 14,000 workers died in a total of 13,960 accidents in the manufacturing and mining industries alone. The real figure may be much higher.

Thousands of other workers are maimed each year while working on machines without safety guards or in unsafe conditions.

There are thousands of accidents in mines throughout China making mining one of the most dangerous occupations in China – many of these accidents are man-made and avoidable. Often mines operate illegally and many lack proper safety precautions and checks.

Thousands more workers suffer from dehabilitating or deadly diseases caused by working in factories laden with chemical fumes or toxic dust. Toxic fumes from benzene and chromium are reportedly found in the majority of small factories producing textiles and other goods.

Despite laws on maximum working hours and wage rates, many Chinese workers are forced to do long hours, often with unpaid and excessive overtime – in some cases till after midnight despite beginning work at 7am. Wages for many workers are below the minimum wage scale and often workers find themselves with tiny salaries after penalties are imposed for things like going to the toilet during working hours or for talking during shifts.