An increasing number of young workers are dying from overwork, because the "unreasonable payment system" in many sectors forces them to work overtime to make enough money to make ends meet. This has given rise to many questions, says an article in Xi'an Evening News. Excerpts:

According to a research conducted by Sun Yat-sen University, 697 young workers in Dongguan, the manufacturing hub in Guangzhou, died in their sleep between 2004 and 2013. According to the Epidemiological Study of Sudden Unexplained Nocturnal Death Syndrome, more than 90 percent of the victims were production line workers.

Young people migrate from rural areas to cities in search of better livelihood and their priority is to earn enough money to change their fate. Sadly, they end up working extra hours year after year just to make ends meet.

Their managers shirk their responsibility by saying that such workers seek overtime work. What they never admit is that the "unreasonable payment system" leaves workers with no choice but to work overtime to earn a decent amount. Worse, sometimes workers even have to bribe the managers to get extra work.

These cases reflect the paradox of workers "seeking extra work voluntarily". The situation can be corrected only by reforming the payment system and raising the minimum wage to enable workers to earn enough in regulation time to support their families.

The opinions expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.