Coach drivers on some of southern China's most notorious roads are being paid as little as 40 yuan (HK$38) a trip - just over half the fare travellers pay for the journey - and often have to work seven days a week to make ends meet, a Sunday Morning Post investigation has discovered.

After travelling on a coach on the Shenshan Expressway between Shenzhen and Shanwei, a Post team found tired drivers complaining they were only given four days off a month, with many opting to work them because they were paid so little. Drivers also said it was not uncommon for colleagues to drink heavily on the night before a job.

They said they were exhausted when they had to work overtime during the Lunar New Year holidays and complained they could only afford very short breaks - with barely enough time to eat lunch.