A public outcry has erupted in China following the death of 39-year-old software programmer Xing Zhi, who collapsed in an office toilet shortly after clocking in for work on April 11.
The South China Morning Post reported that the father of two arrived at his workplace, logged into the company attendance system, and went directly to a restroom on the second floor instead of heading to his desk on the 11th floor. He was later found unconscious, and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
The incident led to widespread controversy after local government officials rejected an application to designate his death as a work-related fatality. Officials explained their ruling by stating that because Xing had not yet turned on his computer, he had not officially started his work duties at the time of the medical emergency.
Rejection triggers social media backlash
The official refusal triggered severe backlash on social media networks, where commentators accused authorities of callousness and failing to safeguard worker rights. Xing had worked at the firm for four years and regularly worked late into the night, frequently remaining at his desk until 9 p.m. or 2 a.m.
His widow has submitted a request for review, and his family plans to appeal the decision. Legal experts pointed out that visiting the restroom is a basic physiological necessity and argued that sanitary facilities form an essential part of the workspace. Although the employer paid an undisclosed sum to the widow, the official designation of his death remains disputed.
In China, families of employees whose deaths are officially attributed to work-related causes receive a standard lump-sum compensation payment of approximately 1.1 million yuan, equivalent to about 12.3 million Russian rubles.
Broader concerns over overwork in China
The case has renewed scrutiny over intense workplace pressure across the country. The report noted a previous case in China where a private tutor named Li died from overwork after taking on 400 students.
Ahead of a planned vacation and his upcoming wedding, Li attempted to complete all his teaching commitments through several days of extreme overtime, leading to fatal heart failure.
