High-temperature Subsidies
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High-temperature subsidies
High-temperature subsidies are given to workers exposed to outdoor temperatures above 35 Celsius, as well as to those working indoors in temperatures above 33 C. According to the State Administration of Work Safety, labor authorities are responsible for fixing local subsidy standards. Twenty-eight provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions have done so this summer. In East China's Shandong province, employees working indoors in high temperatures will get a monthly subsidy of 200 yuan ($30.47) each, an increase of 80 yuan from last year, and those working in "not-so-high temperatures" will get 140 yuan, 60 yuan more than last year. This is the first increase in the province since 2006. The high-temperature subsidy in Shaanxi province, Northwest China, has been raised from 10 yuan to 25 yuan per person per day. Employees in northern regions and provinces such as Beijing and Shanxi are entitled to the subsidy from June to September while those in Hainan province, at southern end of China, get the subsidy from April to October. However, despite the central government's instructions to provincial and regional authorities to fully implement the subsidy program, many employees say they don't get such subsidies. Many outdoor workers such as couriers and sanitation workers say that though they have been getting the subsidy during the past few summers, they are not clear about the specific standard. Besides, many provinces and regions have not upgraded their standards for years. Guangdong province in South China still uses the standard fixed in 2007, providing 150 yuan per month for outdoor workers. And Henan province follows the standard decided in 2008－that is, 10 yuan per person per working day. Currently, the distribution of high-temperature subsidies depends mainly on supervision of labor inspectors, trade unions and management departments. The problem is, the supervision is relatively weak and there are no provisions for punitive action against non-compliance.
Subsidy faces heat as mercury increases across the country
With the thermometer climbing all the way to 40 C in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and Shandong provinces, questions related to subsidies for high temperatures are on the rise as well. High-temperature subsidies are often distributed to workers exposed to outdoor temperatures above 35 C, as well as those who work indoors in temperatures higher than 33 C. Labor authorities are responsible for setting local subsidy standards. So far, 28 provinces, cities and regions have set standards this summer. In Jiangxi province, the subsidy is 240 yuan ($38) a month. Employees can get the subsidy from June to September. Despite urging from the central government to fully implement high-temperature subsidies, many employers said they don't have such subsidies. In an online poll by forum.xinhuanet.com, more than 93 percent of respondents said they didn't receive high-temperature subsidies. More than 4 percent said they would receive it later while just over 2 percent said they already get the money. A staff member with a branch company of SINOPEC, who asked to be identified by his surname Liu, said their high-temperature subsidy has been cut for the last two years. An employee from Ningbo, Zhejiang province, who refused to be identified, said that every year he could only get beverages instead of cash. Zhang Hui, from an advertising company based in Shanghai, said she gets high-temperature subsidies every year, although the standard needs to be adjusted. "The average temperature surpasses 35 C, and sometimes we have many days with the temperature above 40 C," said Zhang. "However, we can still get only 200 yuan per month from June to September." "Many provinces and regions didn't adjust their standards for years. This does not go with the economic situation." Shandong province still uses the standard drafted in 2006 that provides 120 yuan per month for outdoor workers.
Demand for High-Temperature Subsidies Rises as China's Thermometer Climbs to 40 Degrees Celsius
High-temperature subsidies are now in demand as thermometers in Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin and Shandong Provinces reach a reading of 40 degrees Celsius. This kind of assistance is often offered to workers whose jobs are outdoors, with specific temperature of 35 C and above. Those with indoor works, with temperature above 33 C, can also avail the subsidy. China's labor authorities are the ones who set local subsidy standards. For this summer, at least 28 provinces, regions and cities, have set standards. Jiangxi Province workers have a subsidy worth 240 yuan per month, which can be availed from June until September. However, many employers said that they don't have such assistance in spite of the urge from China's central government to fully implement the said subsidies. In a forum.xinhuanet.com poll, over 93 percent said that they don't get high-temperature subsidies, while 4 percent said that they received it afterwards, and only 2 percent stated that they already received the subsidy. Reports from employees themselves confirmed this. A SINOPEC branch staff member surnamed Liu said that for the last two years, the high-temperature subsidy for them has been cut. A Zhejiang Province-based employee stated that annually, he only receives beverages instead of cash. Meanwhile, Zhang Hui of an advertising firm in Shanghai said that she receives hers, however, the standard should be adjusted.
Knowledge Graph
Examples
1 On June 21, 2016, the Beijing Work Safety Bureau started conducting inspections to check whether employers are paying high-temperature subsidies to eligible employees.
2 Since the high-temperature subsidy is paid infrequently and in relatively small amounts, employers can easily neglect making the payments.
3 Under Beijing’s high-temperature subsidy payment rules, employees who work outdoors are eligible for high-temperature subsidies of RMB180 per month from June to August.