Fatality quotas implemented in China’s industrial section and local governments are being used to promote work safety and therefore, reducing the number of work-related deaths. Given the controversial nature of this policy, Gao analyzes how the fatality quotas are functioning to aid the country in balancing economic growth and social stability. The book also examines significant implications caused of this policy’s implementation in the local regions, and reveals how local officials attempt to handle these problems.

This is the first book to systematically examine the role of death indicators in work safety improvement in contemporary China, revealing insight into Beijing’s quota-oriented approach to policy-making.