“過勞死”拉響職場(chǎng)警鐘

The shocking data and lively cases repeatedly alarm people. As the cases of “karoshi” became more and more frequent in China， Japan， US， UK， and Australia， national intervention was finally provoked. How to keep ourselves from “karoshi” has become a heated issue for both governmental officials and ordinary people.

一組組驚人的數(shù)據(jù)，一個(gè)個(gè)鮮活的案例，一遍遍向人們敲響著警鐘。隨著“過勞死”案例在中國(guó)、日本、美國(guó)、英國(guó)、澳大利亞等國(guó)家的頻發(fā)，最終都催生了國(guó)家式的干預(yù)。如何遠(yuǎn)離“過勞死”，已經(jīng)成為從各國(guó)政府官員到普通民眾探討的熱門話題。

Japan

日本

Japan adopted the system of “afterward relief”， including clear regulations in legislation that if over-fatigue causes suicide， it will be considered as a labor disaster （equals a labor injury in China）， and insurance for “l(fā)abor disasters” can be applied to have access to treatment compensation， damage compensation， and surviving dependent compensation. In recent years， the Japanese government has started to modify the identification standard of “karoshi”. The working conditions of the 6 months before death should be investigated instead of only one week to get an accurate “accumulation of fatigue”. Factors outside working hours should also be taken into consideration， including the frequency of business trip and working environment. In addition， it also regulates enterprise’s duty to guarantee the security of laborers.

在“過勞死”居高不下的日本，實(shí)行的是事后救濟(jì)制度。包括在立法中明確規(guī)定，如果疲勞過度以及疲勞過度導(dǎo)致自殺，將被認(rèn)定為勞動(dòng)災(zāi)害（簡(jiǎn)稱“勞災(zāi)”，相當(dāng)于中國(guó)的工傷），可以提起“勞災(zāi)”保險(xiǎn)申請(qǐng)，從而享受到療養(yǎng)補(bǔ)償、損害補(bǔ)償、遺屬補(bǔ)償?shù)取＝陙?，日本政府已?jīng)開始修改“過勞死”的認(rèn)定標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。從只調(diào)查死亡之前一個(gè)星期內(nèi)的工作狀況改為調(diào)查6個(gè)月內(nèi)的情況，以掌握“疲勞積蓄度”，并將除工作時(shí)間之外的其他主要原因考慮在內(nèi)，如出差的頻繁程度、工作環(huán)境等。另外，還規(guī)定了企業(yè)保障勞動(dòng)者安全的義務(wù)。

According to a report of NHK， in this meeting held by the Japan Partisan Parliamentary Union， apart from the congressmen of the party out of office， about 40 people who lost their families due to “karoshi” were also present. LDP member of the House of Representatives Chi Hao presented a program proposed by the LDP. It pointed out that the governmental support should be definite in the prevention of “karoshi” and “suicides caused by over-fatigue”. Before that， the Japanese government set up a consultation headed by experts and constituted by victims of “karoshi” and people who lost their families due to “karoshi”. Based on the suggestions proposed by the consultation， the outline of the program was drafted for the cabinet to decide. Moreover， the Japanese government also conducts practical investigations， conducts the research on effective prevention policies， rectifies the consultation system and relevant enlightenment movement， and supports the activities of civil society.

據(jù)日本NHK電視臺(tái)報(bào)道稱，在此次由日本超黨派議員聯(lián)盟舉行的會(huì)談中，除了在野黨的國(guó)會(huì)議員外，因“過勞死”、“過勞自殺”而失去親人的家屬約40人也參與其中。會(huì)談時(shí)，自民黨眾院議員遲浩闡述了自民黨的提案，該提案指出希望在預(yù)防“過勞死”和“過勞自殺”時(shí)能明確政府的支持。在此之前，日本政府設(shè)立了磋商會(huì)，參會(huì)者以專家為首，再加上曾經(jīng)經(jīng)歷過因“過勞”而身患重病之人以及因其死亡之人的家屬們。以磋商會(huì)上提出的意見為基礎(chǔ)，確定了預(yù)防方針的基本大綱，并將在內(nèi)閣會(huì)議上進(jìn)行定奪。此外，日本政府還會(huì)進(jìn)行實(shí)際調(diào)查、對(duì)有效預(yù)防政策進(jìn)行研究、整頓咨詢體制及相關(guān)啟蒙活動(dòng)，并對(duì)民間團(tuán)體活動(dòng)進(jìn)行支援。

Western capitalist countries

西方資本主義國(guó)家

Differently from Japan， in western capitalism countries with advanced employment system， beforehand prevention and afterward relief are usually adopted together. For instance， the US and European countries tend to adopt beforehand preventions.

In the US， people call “karoshi” chronic fatigue syndrome， and relevant diagnostic criteria were drafted. If the deaths of employees meet those standards， the employer shall shoulder particular legal responsibilities. In order to reduce the pressure of employees， US companies set up the flexible work system； EU and its member states set up laws and regulations like Health and Safety at Work Laws， which requires companies to provide employees with health guarantee and psychological support. If an accident is identified as “karoshi”， the employer will be held responsible.

與日本不同的是，在雇傭制度發(fā)達(dá)的西方資本主義國(guó)家，對(duì)“過勞死”問題的處理一般采取事前預(yù)防與事后救濟(jì)相結(jié)合的辦法。比如，美國(guó)和歐洲各國(guó)普遍采用事前預(yù)防措施。

在美國(guó)，人們將“過勞死”稱之為慢性疲勞綜合征，并擬定了相應(yīng)的診斷標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。如果職工死亡符合這些標(biāo)準(zhǔn)，雇主將承擔(dān)一定的法律責(zé)任。為了給員工減壓，美國(guó)公司制定了彈性工作制度；歐盟及各成員國(guó)則制定了《健康與安全工作法》等法規(guī)，要求公司向員工提供健康保障及心理支持等。如果事故原因被認(rèn)定為“過勞死”，就可以據(jù)此對(duì)雇主追責(zé)。

Taiwan， China

中國(guó)臺(tái)灣

Similarly with mainland China， Taiwan was also troubled by “karoshi” in recent years. According to the “checked cases of karoshi” released by the “Labor Committee” of Taiwan， in 2011， 88 people in Taiwan were designated as “over-fatigued”， and 48 people died of “karoshi”， i.e.， one death was caused by “karoshi” every 7.6 days in average， creating the highest record in history. Among them， one fourth was young people under 45， and another 40 people suffered injuries and diseases.

In response， Taiwan people are all calling for the prevention of “karoshi”. “Labor Committee” said that the legislature should accelerate the modification of the relevant legislations including “The Law of Laborer Safety and Hygiene” and “Professional Disaster Protection Law for Laborer” to increase employers’ responsibility for the prevention of “karoshi” and guarantee the professional safety of employees. In addition， the relevant punishment articles of Labor Standard Law cannot effectively constrain the employers’ behaviors. In the modification， the fines will be raised by 3 to 5 times， and an enterprise that makes employees work for excessive extra hours can be fined most 200，000 NT. The list of the enterprises that violate these regulations will be posted on public platforms and websites for the information of people.

與中國(guó)大陸一樣，臺(tái)灣近年也頗受“過勞死”的困擾。據(jù)臺(tái)灣“勞委會(huì)”發(fā)布的“過勞核付案件”資料顯示，全臺(tái)2011年共有88人被認(rèn)定“過勞”，48人“過勞”致死，平均7.6天就有一人“過勞死”，創(chuàng)歷年來新高。其中，1/4是45歲以下的年輕人，另有40人過勞導(dǎo)致傷病。

為此，臺(tái)灣各界都在呼吁應(yīng)遏制“過勞死”蔓延的趨勢(shì)?！皠谖瘯?huì)”表示，“立法院”應(yīng)加速推動(dòng)“勞工安全衛(wèi)生法”、“職業(yè)災(zāi)害勞工保護(hù)法”等相關(guān)法令的修正，加強(qiáng)雇主預(yù)防“過勞死”的責(zé)任，保障員工職業(yè)安全。另外，《勞基法》的相關(guān)處罰條款對(duì)資方起不到多大的震懾作用，修法時(shí)將把罰款金額提高3至5倍，員工超時(shí)工作的企業(yè)最高可罰20萬元新臺(tái)幣，通過公開張貼布告及網(wǎng)站公布違法企業(yè)名單，供民眾查詢。

The legislation of mainland China needs to be improved

中國(guó)大陸亟待完善立法

In recent years， there are more and more voices calling for the including of “karoshi” in the scope of legislation， stressing that “karoshi” should not be the blind spot of legislation. At present， as the frontline of the reform and opening of China， Guangdong Province has started the survey of the legislation on “karoshi” and it may be the first pilot test area in the future. Member of the Guangdong Provincial People's Congress Zhang Zhiya told us that the most challenging part of the legislation of “karoshi” lies in the identification of deaths. In order to make sure of the accuracy of identification， he suggested that medical sector should set standard criteria and diagnostic codes for “karoshi”. Zhang Zhiya also proposed that both enterprises and individual laborers should take precautions methods. “Enterprises have the responsibility to prevent ‘karoshi’ of employees， arrange free medical examinations for them regularly， and guarantee the psychological and physical health of them.”

近幾年來，在中國(guó)大陸將“過勞死”提上立法日程的呼聲不斷，民眾紛紛認(rèn)為“過勞死”不應(yīng)成為立法的盲區(qū)。目前，中國(guó)廣東省作為改革開放的前沿陣地，對(duì)“過勞死”的立法調(diào)研工作早已開始，未來不排除全國(guó)第一個(gè)試行專門立法的可能。據(jù)廣東省人大代表張志亞介紹，過勞死立法難在死亡原因的認(rèn)定。為了確保認(rèn)定的準(zhǔn)確性，他建議盡快制定醫(yī)學(xué)認(rèn)定“過勞死”的統(tǒng)一標(biāo)準(zhǔn)和診斷尺度。張志亞還提出了針對(duì)企業(yè)與勞動(dòng)者個(gè)人的事前預(yù)防的建議，“企業(yè)有責(zé)任預(yù)防勞動(dòng)者的過勞死行為，定期免費(fèi)為勞動(dòng)者安排體檢，保障員工的生理和心理健康?！?/p>

Many experts agreed that standard criteria are very necessary. In their opinions， “karoshi” should be defined clearly within the medical framework. At the same time， the legal framework should make a comprehensive system that provides the laborers with the right of health， the right of rest， and the right of life， which means the legal relief in the utmost extent. However， Doctor of the School of Labor and Human Resources of Renmin University of China Dong Shangwen said that the cognizance of “karoshi” is very complicated. “There is no such a disease called ‘karoshi’， and it is a long process of accumulation， which is all reflected by other forms. How to prove that this accumulation process is caused by work but not personal factors is very disputable.”

Lawyer of Beijing Dacheng Law Firm Du Liyuan argued that while “karoshi” is given a medical definition， “The Labor Law” should be improved and “Regulation on Work-Related Injury Insurances” should be modified. It should take “karoshi” as a case “considered as an industrial injury”. In terms of detailed criteria， the last 6 months before death should be investigated to see whether they’ve worked for over 80 extra hours a month， to be taken as the basis of “karoshi” cognizance.

確定統(tǒng)一判斷標(biāo)準(zhǔn)得到了多位受訪專家的認(rèn)同，在他們看來，應(yīng)在醫(yī)學(xué)框架內(nèi)增加對(duì)“過勞死”的界定，同時(shí)在法律上構(gòu)建包括保障勞動(dòng)者休息權(quán)、健康權(quán)乃至生命權(quán)的一個(gè)完整系統(tǒng)的制度體系，給“過勞死”以最大限度的法律救濟(jì)。但是，中國(guó)人民大學(xué)勞動(dòng)人事學(xué)院博士董尚雯坦言，認(rèn)定“過勞死”的確十分復(fù)雜。“因?yàn)椴]有一種直接的病叫做‘過勞死’，這是一個(gè)長(zhǎng)期積累的過程，而且都以其他形式表現(xiàn)出來。如何證明這種積累的過程是由工作而非自身因素引起，存在很大爭(zhēng)議?！?/p>

北京大成律師事務(wù)所杜立元律師則認(rèn)為，在醫(yī)學(xué)上對(duì)‘過勞死’作出明確定義的同時(shí)，應(yīng)對(duì)《勞動(dòng)法》進(jìn)行完善，修訂《工傷保險(xiǎn)條例》，將“過勞死”作為“視同工傷”的一種情況。在具體標(biāo)準(zhǔn)上，可以考察勞動(dòng)者在生前最后6個(gè)月內(nèi)，每月加班是否超過80小時(shí)，以此作為判斷“過勞死”的依據(jù)。

Increase penalty

加大處罰力度

Zhu Lieyu， member of the NPC and National First-Class Lawyer， suggested the penalty for the enterprises that violate the rules to make the employees work for extra hours should be increased. When the extra hours are longer than the regulated 36 hours， the penalty for the excessive part can be multi-step in that the longer the extra hours are， the more the penalty is. Enterprise should encourage employees to work effectively and finish their tasks within the working time instead of working extra hours. Even if working extra hours is really necessary， it should be strictly controlled according to the relevant regulations. In addition， experts appeal to laborers for more attention to their own health. After all， it is the basis for everything.

針對(duì)當(dāng)前對(duì)企業(yè)處罰力度不夠的現(xiàn)狀，中國(guó)人大代表、國(guó)家一級(jí)律師朱列玉建議，對(duì)違法企業(yè)尤其是加班嚴(yán)重超時(shí)的企業(yè)應(yīng)處以更嚴(yán)厲的處罰。對(duì)超過法律規(guī)定的36小時(shí)的加班時(shí)間，可劃出超時(shí)等級(jí)實(shí)行階梯式處罰。超時(shí)加班時(shí)間越長(zhǎng)，對(duì)企業(yè)的懲罰金額就應(yīng)越多。企業(yè)應(yīng)鼓勵(lì)員工在規(guī)定時(shí)間高效完成工作，而不是加班。即使加班，也應(yīng)將加班時(shí)間嚴(yán)格控制在規(guī)定范圍內(nèi)。除此之外，專家疾呼，勞動(dòng)者自身也應(yīng)對(duì)自己的健康多一些重視，畢竟這才是一切之本。