China's monsoon climate is pronounced, with widespread high temperatures during summer. Since the Minor Heat and Major Heat solar terms began, daily highs have exceeded 35°C in many regions. To combat the intense heat, local authorities have implemented various cooling measures to minimize the impact on daily life and production, ensuring residents enjoy a comfortable summer.
Care Packages Delivered to Outdoor Workers
This year, the project department prepared heatstroke prevention supplies for us well in advance. Despite the heat, everyone's enthusiasm for work has only grown stronger. In the peak of summer, large-scale development and construction are advancing rapidly in Xiong'an New Area, Hebei Province. At the Rongdong District resettlement housing project, workers are accelerating construction efforts.Worker Tian Yaliang shared that the project department has set up free mung bean porridge stations in the workers' living quarters, along with supplies of Huoxiang Zhengqi Water and ice. Colleagues can freely access these resources as needed during their shifts. "With such strong support, we'll work even harder to contribute our part to the new area's development," he said.
Amid the scorching summer heat, outdoor workers—including construction laborers, sanitation workers, delivery riders, and couriers—toil tirelessly under the blazing sun, sustaining their efforts through sweltering temperatures to serve the public's daily needs. In recognition of their dedication, various organizations across the country have distributed cooling care packages.
On July 27, Fuzhou City in Fujian Province recorded a peak temperature exceeding 40°C, becoming the first provincial capital to surpass this threshold this year. Since July, the Fuzhou Municipal Federation of Trade Unions has been conducting targeted heatstroke prevention and cooling relief activities.It is reported that from July to August this year, trade unions at the county level and above in Fuzhou will invest 8 million yuan to launch a citywide summer heat relief campaign. The initiative will focus on visiting frontline workers in urban sanitation, public transportation, key construction projects, postal services, and express delivery industries, delivering special summer care to those working in high-temperature environments to ensure they stay cool and work safely.The campaign also leverages the oversight role of trade union labor law supervision committees at all levels to urge enterprises to standardize high-temperature work practices, ensure workplace hygiene, and support epidemic prevention, heat mitigation, and production efficiency.
As temperatures continue to climb, national electricity demand and daily power generation have both surpassed historical peaks, marking a critical period for the power industry to manage summer peak loads.
Recently, frontline personnel from Bao'an District Power Supply Bureau in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, continued working under the scorching sun to ensure residential power safety. Two power workers, clad in long-sleeved protective suits, hard hats, and heavy insulated gloves, were lifted by an insulated bucket truck to perform live-line operations mid-air. Upon descending from the aerial platform, their faces glistened with sweat, soaking through their uniforms.While ensuring uninterrupted power supply for users in their jurisdiction, Bao'an Power Supply Bureau is also fully committed to protecting employees during summer labor and preventing heatstroke. They are rationally balancing outdoor construction schedules, improving working conditions, and reducing continuous working hours. Each power supply branch is equipped with first-aid kits, providing employees with general labor protection supplies and over 20 types of medications, including summer chrysanthemum granules and cooling oil.
Mung bean soup, chrysanthemum tea, Huoxiang Zhengqi Water, Longhu Rendao pills, cooling balm, breathable summer uniforms... During field visits, it was observed that many outdoor workers—including delivery personnel, traffic police, and sanitation workers—have received heatstroke prevention supplies and medications from their employers or local community organizations.Beyond supplies, service stations offering drinking water, shade, and rest areas extend care to outdoor workers.
On July 27, Jinchuan District in Jinchang City, Gansu Province, held a summer cooling event and outdoor worker station inauguration ceremony at the entrance of Jinchang Rural Commercial Bank on Panxuan Road. The centralized plaque unveiling marked the official opening of 26 outdoor worker stations—each equipped with the "Six Ones" standard (a bronze plaque, sofa and coffee table set, water dispenser,a microwave oven, a mobile phone charging station, and a designated restroom) officially opened to all outdoor workers across the city. These stations effectively address the practical challenges of accessing drinking water, rest areas, charging stations, and restrooms, providing heartwarming services and creating a haven of care for workers who labor outdoors year-round, enduring harsh winds and scorching sun.
In June this year, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions issued the "Notice on Effectively Implementing Heatstroke Prevention and Cooling Measures for Workers in 2021." It requires trade unions at all levels to prioritize labor protection for workers engaged in high-temperature operations and outdoor work during hot weather as a crucial aspect of serving workers and safeguarding their rights. Unions must plan ahead, organize meticulously, and minimize the adverse impacts on workers' production and daily lives caused by the combined effects of the pandemic and summer heat.>According to Su Bin, Director of the Rights Protection Department of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, at a July 22 press conference on union care for outdoor workers, incomplete statistics indicate that to date, trade unions at all levels have integrated social resources to establish 78,217 service stations for outdoor workers through self-construction and joint development. Cumulative funding of 938 million yuan has covered over 59 million outdoor workers, primarily migrant laborers.
Implementing Paid Leave and High-Temperature Allowances
Old trees shelter birds, while clouds roll over rippling emerald waves. Amidst lush mountain forests and clear streams, only the constant chirping of cicadas hints at the height of July summer. Recently, Chongqing resident Mr. Yang took his annual leave to bring his father to the city's Sishan Mountains for a summer retreat.
The Wangxiangtai Waterfall cascades from great heights, spraying refreshing mist that brings the unique coolness of the forest. Compared to staying in an air-conditioned room, the elderly gentleman prefers to explore the outdoors. The mountain air is cooler, and breathing fresh air while engaging in moderate outdoor activities benefits his health. Mr. Yang shared with the author that he had long planned to use his paid leave to take his family to escape the heat during the hottest time of the year.
As the peak summer heat sets in, more people are choosing vacations to escape the humidity and heat. According to the "Employee Paid Annual Leave Regulations" implemented since 2008, employees who have worked continuously for over one year are entitled to paid annual leave, during which they receive the same wages as during regular work periods.Employees with cumulative service of one to less than ten years are entitled to five days of annual leave; those with ten to less than twenty years receive ten days; and those with twenty or more years receive fifteen days. National statutory holidays and regular rest days are not counted toward annual leave.
Beyond implementing paid leave, workers also enjoy multiple legal protections during high-temperature weather.
According to the "Measures for the Administration of Heatstroke Prevention and Cooling Measures" jointly formulated by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and three other departments in June 2012, during periods of high temperatures, employers shall, based on production characteristics and specific conditions, take measures such as reasonably arranging working hours, rotating shifts, appropriately increasing rest periods for workers in high-temperature environments, reducing labor intensity, and minimizing outdoor work during peak heat hours.Workers engaged in high-temperature operations are entitled to position allowances by law. Specifically, employers must provide high-temperature allowances when assigning workers to outdoor operations in temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F) or when workplace temperatures cannot be effectively reduced below 33°C (91°F). These allowances must be included in total wages. The allowance standards are set by provincial human resources and social security departments in consultation with relevant authorities and adjusted periodically based on socioeconomic conditions.
In June this year, the Guangdong Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security and four other departments issued a notice raising the province's high-temperature allowance standard to 300 yuan per person per month. Where daily allowances are required under regulations, the rate is 13.8 yuan per person per day.This represents a doubling from the 2012 standard of ¥150 per month, directly benefiting 300,000 frontline sanitation workers and over 3 million construction workers by increasing high-temperature allowances for frontline employees.
To mitigate the impact of prolonged high temperatures on workers' health and productivity, the Fujian Provincial Department of Human Resources and Social Security recently issued a notice requiring employers to scientifically schedule work, fully distribute high-temperature allowances, and prohibit offsetting these payments with heat-relief beverages.Regarding high-temperature allowances: In May, payments are calculated at ¥12 per day based on actual high-temperature days. From June to September, payments are either ¥260 per month or ¥12 per day based on actual high-temperature days.
A representative from the labor inspection department of Fujian's Human Resources and Social Security Department stated that in addition to providing stipends as mandated, employers should scientifically arrange work based on production characteristics and specific conditions. Measures such as increasing workers' rest periods and reducing outdoor work during peak heat hours should be implemented to ensure workplace safety.
Tree Planting and Greenery Spraying Create Cool Cities
Along Chengdu's Second and Third Ring Roads in Sichuan, the modern urban landscape of steel and concrete gives way to a sweeping expanse of emerald green. Ms. Jin, who lives near the Third Ring Road, passes through this urban forest formed by climbing vines every day on her commute.
The lush greenery feels refreshingly cool just to look at.When traffic jams occur, she'll pause for a moment beneath the shaded canopy without feeling rushed. Ms. Jin remarked to the author that urban greening genuinely impacts one's mood—more greenery makes the city feel cooler and lessens the summer heat.