The incidence of workplace deaths in China's mines and factories is rising despite the enactment of new work safety rules. The State Administration on Work Safety has begun releasing statistics about accident rates, and there are increased penalties for mine or factory owners who violate safety standards. Making the problem more difficult, workers who try to address safety issues are often repressed and workers are not allowed to form independent unions.
See "Workplace Deaths Rise in China Despite New Safety Legislation", Joseph Kahn, The New York Times, October 23, 2003