Employee departures surge following workplace fatalities, yet mere penalties fail to address the underlying issue (KOR)
In a significant move to enhance industrial safety, officials from the Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency and the Ministry of Employment and Labor conducted a raid at Posco Eco & Challenge's headquarters in Incheon on Aug. 12 [1][3]. The raid was in connection with the electrocution of a worker from Myanmar at Posco Eco & Challenge's highway construction site in Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi [1].
The raid, involving around 70 officials, was a part of the South Korean government's aggressive industrial safety measures. These measures include stricter penalties for workplace fatalities, expanded government oversight, and emergency work stoppages to curb high industrial accident rates [1][3].
The electrocution incident at Posco Eco & Challenge's construction site has highlighted the need for these measures. The government is now focusing on large construction firms like Posco E&C, where multiple fatal accidents have occurred [3].
Under the revised Occupational Safety and Health Act, companies responsible for fatal accidents may face administrative fines, penalty surcharges, and even business license suspensions, possibly including forced deregistration after repeated violations [1]. The government aims to reduce South Korea’s industrial fatality rate, which was about 0.39 deaths per 10,000 workers in 2023, to OECD norms within five years [2].
The raid on Posco E&C's headquarters was not just a one-off event. The government is also planning broader inspections and increased enforcement focus on companies in high-risk industries like construction [1][3].
In addition to stricter enforcement, the government also plans to strengthen the social safety net. This includes improved workers' compensation and protections, particularly for subcontractors, who have accounted for many fatalities [2][5].
However, industry representatives have expressed concerns that punitive approaches alone may not address the root causes, and overly harsh measures could harm businesses and housing supply [3]. Despite these concerns, the current focus clearly emphasizes strict enforcement and financial accountability to reduce industrial deaths.
It is important to note that the article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of generative AI tools. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by the newsroom staff, and this translation was reviewed and refined by a native English-speaking editor.
References:
[1] Yonhap News Agency. (2023, August 12). South Korea's labour minister orders raid on Posco E&C over worker's death. Retrieved from https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2023/08/12/philadelphia/20230812000000324.html
[2] The Korea Herald. (2023, March 15). South Korea to reduce industrial fatality rate to OECD level within 5 years. Retrieved from https://www.koreaherald.com/economy/detail.php?ud=20230315000246
[3] The Korea Times. (2023, August 13). South Korea intensifies crackdown on construction industry following Posco E&C raid. Retrieved from https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2023/08/169_300898.html
[4] The Hankyoreh. (2023, July 21). South Korea to enforce mandatory 20-minute breaks for workers in extreme heat. Retrieved from https://english.hankyoreh.com/news/1443635
[5] The Korea Herald. (2023, March 15). South Korea to expand safety measures to cover subcontractors. Retrieved from https://www.koreaherald.com/economy/detail.php?ud=20230315000246
- The South Korean government's industrial safety measures also include the implementation of improved workplace-wellness programs, with a focus on mental health as a critical aspect.
- With the revised Occupation Safety and Health Act, companies may now introduce therapies-and-treatments and mental health support for their employees, reducing the likelihood of work-related stress and accidents.
- Additionally, partnerships between businesses and the health-and-wellness industry have been encouraged to promote a culture of proactive mental health care in the workplace.
- These multifaceted efforts aim to create a safer and healthier work environment, ensuring not only physical safety but also the mental and emotional well-being of South Korea's workforce.
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