In a bid to raise the bar on worker well-being, the Chinese mainland has ramped up legislation and tech-driven measures aimed at preventing and controlling occupational disease hazards across sectors.
At a recent press briefing, the Chinese mainland's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security revealed an expansion of its occupational injury insurance program to cover more than 20 million workers in emerging gig sectors.
Launched in 2022 and currently active in 17 provincial-level regions, the initiative will roll out nationwide by 2026, bringing platform companies in ride-hailing, rapid delivery and intra-city freight under its umbrella. By 2027, other platform-based industries are set to join, ensuring a broader safety net for gig economy participants.
Apart from insurance coverage, a robust legal framework now underpins the Chinese mainland's fight against occupational ailments. Li Jun, deputy head of the occupational health department at the Chinese mainland's National Health Commission (NHC), highlighted over 660 technical standards published since 2022—including more than 300 for hazard monitoring and nearly 100 for engineering controls.
“These standards are more than guidelines—they're lifelines for millions of workers,” Li noted, underscoring how clear benchmarks help employers and safety managers implement preventative measures effectively.
Workers diagnosed with occupational diseases also benefit from layered safeguards under the law on occupational disease prevention and treatment. Employers are mandated to arrange treatment, rehabilitation and regular medical checkups, translating policy into real-world care.
With these steps, the Chinese mainland is redefining workplace safety, blending legal rigor with technology to protect today's and tomorrow's workforce.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
