Workers in the heat

China's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security recently urged local departments to provide allowances to those working in high temperatures in accordance with the relevant rules. Yet many workers in the country, such as those who sweep streets under the sun, are yet to receive their full compensation. Comments:

The non-payment of the allowances for working in high temperatures is related to some private companies which have limited knowledge of relevant policies, as well as those workers who are unaware of their legal rights and incapable of defending them. More importantly, loopholes in the labor laws should be plugged to enforce the summer allowances and hold defiant officials accountable.

Dahe Daily, July 14

To protect the lawful rights of people working in high temperatures requires subsidies, rather than some deceitful replacements such as cold drinks, as well as flexible working hours based on local weather conditions, which is a model emergency plan adopted by the Beijing government during last year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Bohai Morning Post, July 14

Given the current difficulties in providing summertime subsidies, what is more important than imposing stricter supervision over and punishment on employers is to allow workers to know about their own lawful rights and defend them.

rednet.cn, July 5

The lack of harsh punishments for law-defying employers has emboldened them to withhold the high temperature allowances. Hence, relevant legislation is needed more than ever to correct and punish similar misconduct, and in the meantime, law enforcers have to work harder to make sure eligible workers get their subsidies according to the law.

Zhujiang Evening News, July 14