The situation: A foreign employee working in a factory suffers from respiratory diseases likely linked to their occupational exposure.
Applicable law: The Occupational Disease Prevention Law (as amended): the employer is required to provide a safe working environment and offer periodic check-ups to employees. If work causes a documented disease, the employee is entitled to full compensation for treatment, lost income and disability. The Work Injury Insurance Arbitration Committee has jurisdiction over claims.
Typical outcome: Obtaining an official medical report from an accredited hospital with the diagnosis and its link to work, then requesting reclassification as a work injury. Foreigners receive the same treatment as local workers.
📜 Civil Code (general rules) · Awareness case
Compensation for Work-Related Health Damage Linked to Air Quality · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: 大气污染防治法 / Air Pollution Prevention Law 2018; 职业病防治法 / Occupational Disease Prevention Law
A foreign employee working in a polluted industrial environment is diagnosed with an occupational disease. Are they entitled to compensation?
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Lesson: Request periodic medical check-ups from your employer and keep records of your examinations. If check-ups are refused, that in itself is a legal violation that can be contested.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026