In a tragic incident highlighting the dangers of overwork, a 30-year-old man in China died from organ failure after working for 104 days with just one day off. The man, known as A’bao, was a painter who passed away in June 2023 after contracting a pneumococcal infection, according to the South China Morning Post. A’bao had signed a contract with a company in February 2022, committing to work on a project until January 2023.
After signing the contract, A’bao was assigned to work in Zhoushan, a city in Zhejiang province. He followed a grueling schedule, working daily from February to May with only one rest day on April 6. On May 25, he began feeling ill and rested in his dormitory. His condition worsened, and by May 28, his colleagues had to rush him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a lung infection and respiratory failure. Despite their efforts, A’bao died on June 1.
Following his death, A’bao’s family filed a lawsuit against his employer, accusing the company of negligence. Social security officials, however, ruled that his death was not considered work-related due to the timing of his passing. His family disagreed, arguing that his death resulted from excessive work and lack of rest.
The company defended itself by claiming that A’bao’s workload was reasonable and that any additional hours he worked were voluntary. They also attributed his death to pre-existing health conditions and his failure to seek timely medical treatment.
Despite the company’s defense, a Chinese court found the employer 20% responsible for A’bao’s death. The court determined that his death was caused by multiple organ failure due to the pneumococcal infection, which is often linked to a weakened immune system. The court also ruled that his continuous 104-day work period violated Chinese labor laws, which restrict work hours to a maximum of 8 hours per day and an average of 44 hours per week.
The court awarded A’bao’s family 400,000 yuan in compensation, which included a financial settlement and 10,000 yuan for emotional distress. Although the company appealed, the court upheld its decision in August.
