Back to the middle ages: death by silicosis

Silicosis in Guangdong's jewelry industry 

Tens of thousands Chinese workers die every year from an occupational sickness that should have been part of history: solicosis, mainly caused by dust in coal mines and jewelry workplaces, writes the China Labour Bulletin in a report in month (that was earlier available in Chinese). This incurable, but avoidable disease has been the center of much occupation litigation in developed countries, causing a sharp reduction in the number of casulaties in those countries. The report by the China Labour Bulletin focuses on the jewelry industry in Guangdong province, over the border with Hong Kong and interviewed 4,500 workers, 137 of whom had the disese. For good reason, since the benefits of this labor cross the border to Hong Kong. Getting compensation of even medical health after contracting the disease is very troublesome for the workers who contracted the disease. The studies concentrates on seven companiese using Guangdong labor to work in their jewelry industry. Unlike many rather superficial reports about labor condition this is very well documented, timely and could be used as a practical instrument for litigation. In a previous life I have been writing much about occupational diseases in Europe and have been following much of the US litigation against responsible companies. There is a lot to gain here.
Information on silicosis