Draft toughens work safety law

A draft amendment to the work safety law that sets harsher punishments for those responsible for work accidents will soon be passed by the State Council and presented to the top legislature for review.

The amendment also emphasizes safety checks and precautions, according to a statement released after a State Council executive meeting presided over by Premier Li Keqiang.

The draft proposes harsher punishments for enterprises where major work accidents have occurred, and enables the government to enlarge its area of supervision and investigate cases in which work safety supervisors fail in their duties.

The punishments it proposes for safety supervisors who fail in their duty are also harsher to increase accountability.

The draft will be presented for review to the National People's Congress Standing Committee, the nation's top legislature, after further revisions, the statement said.

The work safety law took effect in 2002 after being passed by the top legislature.

- Xu Wei