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Zoey Zhang

The employer of an early-arriving security guard in China who died in a sweltering workplace without air conditioning has refused to recognise his demise as work-related.
The firm has also declined to pay the man’s family compensation, sparking widespread outrage online.
The 50-year-old man, surnamed Zhou, worked the early shift at a residential community in Xi’an, Shaanxi province, northeastern China, Jimu News reported.
On July 15, he arrived at work an hour early, at around 7.00am.

After eating breakfast in the security room, he collapsed and was rushed to hospital but died.
The death certificate confirmed Zhou died of a heart attack.
Zhou’s daughter said that the temperature that day reached 33 degrees Celsius, yet neither her father’s security booth nor his dormitory had air conditioning.
Mainland reports revealed that Zhou had worked in the community for years and, despite having a signed contract, the company did not contribute to his social insurance.
His cramped dormitory held 20 people in less than 200 square metres and also had poor sanitation and dim lighting.
Zhou’s family believes that he was in good health and that his sudden death, presumably caused by the heat, should be classed as an industrial accident.
However, the company argued that Zhou’s early arrival was outside working hours and refused to classify his death as work-related, offering only “humanitarian donations”.
A manager surnamed Jin said: “Compensation for industrial accidents is much higher than for non-workplace injuries.”

He added that if Zhou’s death is recognised as work-related by the local authorities, the company would take responsibility.
Jin also acknowledged management shortcomings relating to working conditions and mentioned plans to install air conditioning in both the security booths and dormitories.
Zhou’s daughter said her father had been recognised as “Service Model” and “Outstanding Employee” by the company.
A resident described Zhou as diligent and responsible, adding that he was well-liked by children in the community.
Another resident praised him for regularly helping the elderly and pregnant, describing him as a “warm-hearted person”.
As of writing, Zhou’s family has had multiple negotiations with the company and is awaiting the result of an industrial injury assessment by the local authorities.
The incident has attracted more than 15 million views on mainland social media.
One online observer said: “This heartless company did not provide insurance for Zhou. Not installing air conditioning in such high temperatures is killing people!”
“A responsible man loves his job and arrives early, yet he is not compensated for this. It is so wrong,” said another.

It is not the first report of harsh working conditions for security guards in China.
In July, a guard at a university in northern China died from heatstroke due to the lack of air conditioning in his room.
Under the country’s Industrial Injury Insurance Rule, if an employee dies from a sudden illness during work hours or while performing work-related tasks, it is classified as an industrial accident.
Family members can request compensation, funeral expenses and a lump sum death benefit.
In October 2014, a security guard in Beijing died while having sex with his girlfriend at his workplace. The court ruled it as an industrial accident, but the compensation amount has not been disclosed.


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China guard dies after arriving early for shift, boss says not work-related, refuses payout

The family of a security guard in China who died after arriving early for his shift in a workplace with no air conditioning in sweltering weather has been denied compensation by his employer. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Baidu

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China guard dies after arriving early for shift, boss says not work-related, refuses payout

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Millions of people online decry ‘heartless’ employer over death of ‘model’ employee who was loved by community in which he worked

Millions of people online decry ‘heartless’ employer over death of ‘model’ employee who was loved by community in which he worked