The death of a 14-year old boy, who worked in an underwear factory in Foshan City, Guangdong Province triggered a citywide campaign against illegal child labor on Monday.

After the death of Wang Pan on April 11, the Foshan bureau of human resources and social security organized a campaign against child labor. The main goal is to provide protection to young workers commonly found in factories along the southern province.

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Wang reportedly suddenly died, losing consciousness at the house his mother is renting on April 11. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was proclaimed dead. According to China Daily, Wang's mother believes that her son died due to overwork. She said that her son was working 11 to 12 hours a day at the lingerie factory. His mother, who is surnamed Kuang, is a migrant worker from Qidong county in Hunan province.

As a result, the factory where Wang works, Foshan Accor, has agreed to pay Wang's family 150,000 yuan ($23,000) as compensation. Aside from this, the factory has also been charged with 10,000 yuan ($1,537) by the authorities for employing an underage worker. The factory has not denied the allegations.

Local authorities are still conducting a separate investigation and will determine the cause of death of Wang. An official from the Human Resources and Social Security Bureau of the Nanhai District of Foshan City has revealed that the cause of Wang's death is not overworking.

Although the company has agreed to pay the compensation and the fine, many critics are not satisfied with the ruling However, authorities said that the fines imposed were accordance to the law. The ongoing campaign will target labor-intensive manufacturing industries such as the garment, shoe, food and metal industries.

Tagsillegal child labor, child labor, campaign against child labor, Wang Pan, Foshan Accor, Fosha City, Guangdong Province