A petition is being circulated by over a dozen labor rights groups in China which comes in the aftermath of a deadly factory explosion Saturday, killing 75 people and injuring 185.

Chinese labor rights activists have been actively calling attention to their demands for safety reform at work sites, in the wake of the tragic accident in Kunshan, Jiangu province on August 2.

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Sources say that the accident happened when a room filled with metal dust exploded, causing the worst industrial accident in China since June last year when a fire ripped through a poultry processing plant.

The petition drafted by the labor rights conglomerate states what they believe are serious problems in the workplace across the nation.

"The reasons for the accident lie fundamentally with long-neglected labor rights. China is the 'world factory' in the production of wealth - but also in the production of injury. 'Made in China' bears a heavy moral shadow," part of the petition says.

Slow economic growth, high inflation and risings costs have been named by labor groups as some of the key variables that have created difficult conditions for workers.

China has experienced a recent surge in activism over the past year, according to a recent Reuters report.

Given the rising anger over the recent tragedy and ongoing safety concerns, Chinese authorities this week made a drastic decision to suspend work at 268 factories across China.

In addition to safety overhauls, the petition calls for better wages, shorter working hours and worker equality.

Although countless workers and observers have been angered by the recent events, only few have signed the petition.

An estimated 1,400 signatures have been collected by the labor rights group, but many supporters are fearful of signing due to fears of retaliation.