The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security issued an announcement recently requiring employers to provide a high-temperature allowance to their employees according to the laws and regulations. However, in many places the high temperature allowance is an empty right that employees, especially employees in small-and medium-sized enterprises and migrant workers, cannot enjoy, as the requirement fails to be carried out in many areas. Some enterprises even use mung beans or beverages as a replacement for such allowance.

The local law enforcement authorities fail to supervise the employers to protect employees' rights when the temperature soars. Many laws and regulations, such as the Labor Law, the Labor Contract Law and administrative management of heatstroke prevention and cooling measures, stipulate workers' rights to subsidies for working in high temperatures, and even announcements by the central authorities have had little effect on local employers.

The high temperature allowance issue reflects the loopholes in the enforcement of laws in many regions. To guarantee people's legal rights and prevent administrative authorities' nonfeasance, a clear assessment and accountability mechanism needs to be established to cover administrative authorities and staff.