Chinese Worker Who Worked 104 Days Straight Except One Dies... What Is the Court's Ruling?

Chinese Man in His 30s Works 104 Consecutive Days After Joining Company
Only One Day Off... Health Deteriorates and Eventually Dies
Company Claims "Preexisting Health Issues," Court Rules "Labor Law Violation"

A man in his 30s in China died after working 104 consecutive days. It is reported that he only had one day off during those 104 days, which has caused widespread sorrow. The Hong Kong South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on the 6th (local time) that "a Chinese man named A signed a labor contract with a company in February last year and worked at a project site in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province."

After joining the company in February, Mr. A worked continuously for 104 days until May, taking only one day off on April 6. On May 25, he took sick leave due to poor health. He was transported to a hospital, but his condition rapidly deteriorated, and he eventually passed away on June 1. The bereaved family filed a lawsuit against Mr. A’s company, stating that "the sudden death of a previously healthy Mr. A was due to overwork." However, the company countered, saying, "The workload was manageable," and "Mr. A’s overtime was voluntary, and his death was due to pre-existing health issues."

According to local medical staff, Mr. A died from sepsis caused by pneumococcal infection and multiple organ failure. The first trial court stated, "This disease is not a pre-existing condition but an acute illness that mainly occurs in winter, spring, or during influenza outbreaks," adding, "Patients with weakened immunity or exposure to highly toxic bacteria are vulnerable to infection." The court also pointed out, "An investigation of his work log revealed that from February 2023 to early May 2023, he worked for 104 days straight except for April 6," and "It is clear that the company violated labor law regulations."

Ultimately, the court ruled that the company was responsible for Mr. A’s death. Prolonged continuous work leads to overwork, which can cause health problems such as impaired immune function. The court ordered compensation of 390,000 yuan (approximately 73.6 million KRW) and an additional 10,000 yuan for mental damages to the bereaved family, totaling 400,000 yuan (about 75 million KRW).

However, the company appealed the first trial ruling, but the second trial court upheld the original judgment. Chinese netizens who learned of the news responded with comments such as "My heart aches" and "The company shows no sign of remorse."

According to a 2021 study on fatalities worldwide due to long working hours by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the risk of death from heart disease and stroke was 17% higher for workers who worked 35?40 hours per week compared to those who worked more than 55 hours per week, and 35% higher for those working over 55 hours. Accordingly, the WHO recommends that "workers’ working hours should not exceed 55 hours per week."