Focus

Under a merciless sun, life goes on

By Duan Yan, Peng Yining, Cao Li, Hu Yinan and Li Jing.
Updated: 2010-07-08 00:00

With temperatures soaring up to 40 C in a number of Chinese cities, people across the country have been furiously looking for ways to stay cool. For many workers, though, there is little option but to sizzle under the sun.

Construction crews, street cleaners, delivery boys and kitchen staff are just some of those struggling in the face of trying conditions.

Yet, China Daily has discovered that few of these workers are even aware of a law that requires employers to pay staff extra in a heat wave.

Armed with a large bottle of water to stave off dehydration, Qu Guorong arrived to start his shift at a Beijing building site on Tuesday afternoon, when the temperature was 40 C.

“What can I do? The work needs to be finished on time,” said the 54-year-old migrant worker, who helps build a luxury residential block in northeast Beijing where apartments are selling for 53,000 yuan ($7,800) per square meter.