Labor Laws in China

China is a big part of the world’s economy primarily because it produces most of the world’s products. However, it also has the most of the world’s work-related deaths. Therefore, there were new labor laws that were made to create better working conditions and environment for the laborers who face many dangers at work. These new labor and safety laws are beneficial to China and its workforce because they reduce the number of suffering workers in China, they level the economy, and they allow companies to perform in a more eco-friendly way. When the day comes that these laws are enforced, China will be able to become a more productive country that not earns money for the aristocrats, but also for the people who are underprivileged and work hard each day.

In China, the labor issues may be the major worry, however in the long-term, China is faced with an even greater threat.  The environmental problem is something most people take for granted, especially companies and businesses. If this situation is not controlled then in due time the consequences could be dire. Luckily, companies are starting to change their ways. They see that something must be done about greenhouse gas emissions and dwindling resources. Upon taking measures to reduce these factors, the companies are taking their employees out of harm’s way. Recently, a law was created that enforced the safety of the employees by forcing all companies to remove any toxic substances (“COMPANIES”) and prevent any of the workers from coming in contact with it. Last year, Swine Properties took energy measures and saved two million kilowatt hours compared to 2007, and they also reduced water per liter by 12.6 percent (Taylor). Many other companies and businesses also followed Swine’s example. For example, Cathay Pacific, a Chinese Airline, reduced its fuel consumption by 1.2 percent (Taylor). Vogue laundry improved its water consumption per kilogram of linen processed by six percent (Taylor). China may not be the most eco-friendly country in the world, but they’re slowly improving. They are definitely seeing the big environmental picture.

The labor and safety laws bring forth positive changes to China in the way that it levels the economy by reducing the significant wealth gap that exists within the country. Before China’s economy can improve, it is necessary for all labor and safety laws to be implemented and enforced so that the rights of every worker can be protected. Many people believe that one of the factors for the innumerable people in poverty is the lack of a minimum wage (Leung, Paggie). Labor laws would aid all underpaid workers in receiving the proper pay for their hard work. Among the many labor laws that are being put into action is the required use of a minimum wage system in hopes that it can improve the economy and close the widening wealth gap between urban and rural areas (“China”). “Employers are required to give their workers necessary health checkups” (“COMPANIES”). This new law guarantees that all workers are taken care of and are provided with medical assistance. With this, illnesses could be detected in time to prevent an outspread of the disease and also prevent the death of millions. Although in this case, the government would have to have to give up a great amount of money, this money would cycle back into the economy as the people start to spend. Until China can strictly enforce labor laws, it will remain as a developing country with countless poverty-stricken citizens and economic inefficiencies (“The richer Chinese”).