Work Safety Regulation in China The CCP’s Fatality Quota System

Fatality quotas implemented in China’s industrial section and local governmentsare being used to promote work safety and therefore, reducing the number of work-related deaths. Given the controversial nature of this policy, Gaoanalyzes how the fatality quotas are functioning to aid the country in balancing economic growth and social stability. The book also examines significant implications caused of this policy’s implementation in the local regions, and reveals how local officials attempt to handle these problems. This is the first book to systematically examine the role of death indicators in work safety improvement in contemporary China, revealing insight into Beijing’s quota-oriented approach to policy-making.

1. Introduction 2. Blood-Soaked GDP? 3. China’s Work Safety Management System 4. A Pony Too Small for the Big Cart 5. The Fatality Quota System 6. Why the Fatality Quotas? 7. Has Work Safety Improved? 8. Conclusion

Jie Gao is an assistant professor at the Department of Political Science, National University of Singapore. Her research focuses on China’s political and administrative reforms, particularly in the areas of performance management, work safety regulation and cadre management.