Osgeld:
Are you even reading the same article? I don't see any mention of lacking in material things being the cause of this man's suicide.
We are both fortunate to live in a country where, if we don't like the working conditions, we can our boss to f-off and go somewhere else, and we don't have to worry about the secret police showing up at our door because of it.
Now, while Shenzhen (Shenzhen - Wikipedia) and more-so Hong Kong, are supposed to be "special" (as-in special economic zones - where China plays around with integrating capitalism with communism), the truth on the ground is likely far different. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this man felt, for whatever reasons, that he didn't have a way out except for death. He was probably feeling depressed and had other issues long before this, but didn't have any support or anyone who cared (or maybe no place to go to seek help?).
I am not saying that all China-based companies are like this, but we really don't know, do we? Its a very strange business model they have, and it seems to be working fairly well for them, so much so that other countries and governments are looking to emulate it, which to me is a scary thing to think about. Capitalism as an economic engine to a strange blend of communism and totalitarianism seems be something that would be ultimately oppressive to the people under it, but seem to outsiders to an ok system (and to a certain segment, an alluring thing to emulate).
To me it seems this way, but I also have this strange feeling that it is all a scam in some manner, wool being pulled over the world's eyes just as long as the world can keep its cheap toy factory...