Women stand on sofas and hold banners that denounce the impact on families from overtime work during an event in Shanghai, Aug 8, 2016. One of the participant holds a banner that reads, "No dinner is more valuable than that shared together at home" during the "Lonely Sofa" Event. [Photo/China News Service] ore than half a million Chinese die from overworking each year, reported CCTV news. China has overtaken Japan topping the charts with the largest population who die from overworking, reaching a total of 600,000.

Statistics show that the group is much younger and covers many industries, such as media, advertisement, medical care and IT.

The latest case revealed by media was a 24 year old engineer, whose only bad habit was overwork, and he died after working frequent overtime.

The news has been endless in the last few years.

Last year, zhaopin.com reported that more than half of 13,400 white-collar respondents do not exercise during work hours and over two thirds work more than five extra hours per week.

CCTV put it down to the fierce competition that has forced many young people to work intensively for income and career promotion. Working too much along with mental pressures can cause one to fall into a sub-health status and an acute exacerbation of a potential disease simply goes ignored.

The lack of legal protection is another factor that does not support healthy work conditions. The Labor Law stipulates workers should work 8 hours a day and 44 hours per week, but, in many companies, those who do not work overtime are seen as lazy and lack entrepreneurship.

To resist fatigue, sina.com.cn advised white-collar workers eat more fruit and vegetables, avoid coffee and fast food, have breakfast on time, do regular exercise, and take a shower.