Panasonic First Multinational Company To Pay Air Pollution Hardship For Overseas Workers In China

http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/03/13/3400621/panasonic-china-air-pollution-hardship/

By Ari Phillips on March 13, 2014

Hardship pay has taken on new meaning for foreign workers in China. On Thursday, Japanese-based Panasonic became the first international company to openly state that it will pay employees in China a wage premium to compensate the hazardous air pollution levels there.

The move came during Japan’s annual labor talks, which otherwise focused on preventing an economic slowdown and boosting workers’ wages. A Panasonic document from the labor talks reads “as for the premium for expatriates to compensate for a different living environment, the company will have a special review for those sent to Chinese cities.”

Throughout the winter, Chinese cities like Beijing and Shanghai have been suffering severe pollution bouts unheard of in most other cities — causing flight delays, school closings and widespread public concern. The government has been making large strides to try and assuage the worries of both Chinese citizens and foreign workers — including top executives and other senior staff — that they are doing all they can to clear the air and make the atmosphere more inviting.

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With pollution monitors in Beijing hitting PM 2.5 readings 10 to 15 times the maximum recommended allowance by the World Health Organization, apprehension over working in China is not surprising. PM 2.5 particles are particulate matter that is 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller, and they can penetrate the lungs and cause premature death. PM 2.5 particles come from vehicle emissions and other operations that involve burning fossil fuels, such as coal-fired power plants and heavy industry that ring many large Chinese cities as they’ve rapidly industrialized.

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