Author(s)

Xueyuan Zhang, Fengwei Sun

Corresponding Author

Xueyuan Zhang

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the complementary effect of anti-corruption and “no safety, no promotion” laws on coal mine mortality in China. We argue that the collusion–mortality relationship should be heterogeneous, the pursuit of economic performance and rent-seeking both can induce a looser safety regulation. Based on the panel data of 25 coal-producing provinces from 2006 to 2015, we find evidence that provinces have been adopted NSNP policies with stronger anti-corruption efforts experienced a significantly larger decrease in coalmine death rates. This result is robust to a vast array of sensitivity checks.

KEYWORDS

Anti-corruption, “No safety, no promotion”, Complementary effect