Nanjing’s 30-somethings work themselves to death

Modern Express May 9

The Modern Express is a Jiangsu-based metro daily. Today’s front page featured the headline, “After continuously working overtime, a man in his 30s suffered sudden death.” The article describes how the man, who managed an international technology firm in Nanjing, recently suffered a sudden heart attack and died at the office. A reporter investigated the incident, and found that a growing number of young professionals are dying this way, because of overwork and high-pressure lifestyles. According to Qin Haidong, the Assistant Director of Emergency Calls at Nanjing No. 1 Hospital, the hospital has seen upwards of 30 cases of sudden death among 30-somethings since the beginning of April. Where these cases usually account for 10% of heart attack deaths, this year that percentage has risen to about 20%.

The China Medical Society has found that 60% of people working white-collar jobs suffer from overwork. They compiled a list of the top ten most overworked sectors. In order, these were: manufacturing, finance, education, media, law, IT, advertising, high-speed consumer service, and real estate.

Also on the front page was an article on a recent controversy over housing incentives in Yangzhou, that will be provided by the Provincial Real Estate Board. Officially, the incentives are designed to promote the completion of housing projects. Beginning on July 1, any personal purchase of a finished house will receive a refund of 4 to 6% in government subsidies. This is highly controversial since many people are questioning whether government funds should be used in this way. They are also skeptical of the true purposes behind the policy. As one interviewee put it: “If you can afford a 2 million yuan house, you don’t care about an 8000 yuan discount.”

Links and Sources:
现代快报:长期连续加班30岁的外企经理猝死 ; 买成品房有奖励 

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