China's workers face high risk of work-related diseases: report
BEIJING (AFP) - Workers in China -- the factory of
the world -- are at high risk of contracting work-related diseases, especially
lung ailments, state media said while attributing part of the blame to foreign
companies.
In 2001, the number of Chinese who suffered from a condition known as pneumoconiosis or black lung caused by inhalation of toxic materials and dust, was the same as in the rest of the world combined - about 570,000, of which 140,000 have died, the China Daily said.
The figure was revealed during an international conference on occupational respiratory diseases in Beijing Tuesday.
The figures, however, only accounted for diagnosed cases. The actual figure is believed to be up to 10 times higher, the report said.
Most of the victims are coal miners or other mining workers, who constantly breathe mineral dust at work. Others affected include laborers at cement plants.
Infection is high in China due to poor enforcement of labor laws and an increasing number of privately owned factories which do not invest much money on tests and treatment for workers, compared with big state-owned factories, experts said.
Altogether, China has identified a total of 115 kinds of workplace diseases which affect about 200 million workers in the country. Former farmers who work in some of the most dangerous jobs face the highest risks.
Industries such as furniture, toy, shoe, electronics and luggage making are among those that pose a serious threat to workers' health due to the dangerous chemical materials they use, the report cited experts saying.
The materials used, such as lead, benzene, manganese and mercury can seriously damage workers' nervous systems, skin or eyes.
To make matters worse, companies which are barred from using certain chemicals and materials in their own countries do so freely in China.
The rush-mat processing industry which makes tatamis or floor mats for Japanese consumers has caused many pneumoconiosis cases among Chinese workers, especially in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang province, the report said.
Ningbo accounts for 70 percent of the tatami mats sold to Japan, it cited Li Dehong, a leading expert at the National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, saying.
China does not lack laws or regulations which on paper require employers to protect workers, but local governments do not enforce the rules due to a lack of concern for workers, poor awareness and fear of driving away investors.
Victims of pneumoconiosis suffer from difficulty breathing and heart problems in severe cases.
Quelle: Yahoo, Wed Apr 20,10:07 AM ET
In 2001, the number of Chinese who suffered from a condition known as pneumoconiosis or black lung caused by inhalation of toxic materials and dust, was the same as in the rest of the world combined - about 570,000, of which 140,000 have died, the China Daily said.
The figure was revealed during an international conference on occupational respiratory diseases in Beijing Tuesday.
The figures, however, only accounted for diagnosed cases. The actual figure is believed to be up to 10 times higher, the report said.
Most of the victims are coal miners or other mining workers, who constantly breathe mineral dust at work. Others affected include laborers at cement plants.
Infection is high in China due to poor enforcement of labor laws and an increasing number of privately owned factories which do not invest much money on tests and treatment for workers, compared with big state-owned factories, experts said.
Altogether, China has identified a total of 115 kinds of workplace diseases which affect about 200 million workers in the country. Former farmers who work in some of the most dangerous jobs face the highest risks.
Industries such as furniture, toy, shoe, electronics and luggage making are among those that pose a serious threat to workers' health due to the dangerous chemical materials they use, the report cited experts saying.
The materials used, such as lead, benzene, manganese and mercury can seriously damage workers' nervous systems, skin or eyes.
To make matters worse, companies which are barred from using certain chemicals and materials in their own countries do so freely in China.
The rush-mat processing industry which makes tatamis or floor mats for Japanese consumers has caused many pneumoconiosis cases among Chinese workers, especially in Ningbo, east China's Zhejiang province, the report said.
Ningbo accounts for 70 percent of the tatami mats sold to Japan, it cited Li Dehong, a leading expert at the National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, saying.
China does not lack laws or regulations which on paper require employers to protect workers, but local governments do not enforce the rules due to a lack of concern for workers, poor awareness and fear of driving away investors.
Victims of pneumoconiosis suffer from difficulty breathing and heart problems in severe cases.
Quelle: Yahoo, Wed Apr 20,10:07 AM ET
Posted: Fr - April 22, 2005 at 10:03 vorm.
Quick Links
Meine Links
Verweis zu unsere Homepage sowie dem Weblog