Forbes StaffThe man, a painter at 30, died after working 104 days straight with only one rest day.
A news report said that a Chinese man, aged 30, passed away after working continuously for 104 days. He was a Chinese painter, A’bao, who died after working 104 days straight, with only one rest day. His employer was found to be 20% liable for his death due to overwork. The man died of organ failure, and the court found his employer 20% liable, awarding 400,000 yuan to the deceased’s family.
Dire consequences of overwork.
A recent death case confirms the dire consequences that overwork can have on individuals. In one such case, due to overwork for 104 straight days and only one rest day, a Chinese man, A’bao, a painter, died of organ failure. He was only 30 years old. According to the South China Morning Post, A’bao was employed under a strict contract since February 2023. He developed a severe pneumococcal infection that led to his death in June this year.
The exhausting schedule of the Chinese man.
The man had agreed to work on a project in Zhoushan, a city in Zhejiang province, until January this year. He had a grueling schedule, working daily from February to May, and only took a brief respite on April 6. On May 25, he fell sick and took a day off, but his condition worsened rapidly. Three days later, his colleagues rushed him to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a lung infection and respiratory failure. A’bao passed away a few days later despite medical efforts.
Call for justice by his family.
Following his death, his family filed a lawsuit against his employer for gross negligence. The case gained more traction when Social Security officials controversially ruled out that his death couldn’t be classified as a work-related injury, citing the timing of his death as a critical factor. The family argued that A’bao’s relentless work schedule and lack of rest contributed directly to his demise.
Defense by the employer.
The company said that A’bao’s workload was reasonable and extra work hours were voluntary. They attributed his condition to pre-existing health issues and claimed he did not seek medical help promptly. However, the court ruled in favor of A’bao’s family, holding the employer 20% accountable for his death.
The verdict said that the prolonged work period was a clear breach of Chinese Labour Law that limits work to 8 hours per day and 44 hours per week. The court awarded A’bao’s family 400,000 yuan (approximately ₹47,19,036) in compensation, including 10,000 yuan for emotional distress.
