Justice Party Busan Branch, "Death of Maritime University Intern... Another Blind Spot in the Shipping Sector"

"Interns are ultra-low wage short-term workers receiving a monthly internship support fee of 300,000 won"

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Jonghyo] The Justice Party urged the government to conduct a full investigation and implement practical measures such as improving the treatment of ship company trainees in relation to the death of a trainee from Korea Maritime and Ocean University that occurred on the 9th.

The Justice Party Busan City Branch released a statement on the 17th, saying, "The death of a young person is not an isolated incident but a structural problem," and added, "Although the government took measures after the death of a Mokpo Maritime University student in 2017, the situation remains insufficient."

They continued, "It is an open secret that trainees do menial work under the pretext of observation and education," emphasizing, "Trainees are effectively low-wage short-term workers receiving only 300,000 won per month as training support under the name of internship."

They also pointed out that although there is an operational agreement between universities and ship companies, the schools have no way to conduct on-site inspections or restrict unfair labor practices. According to the city branch, the relationship between ship companies and universities, as well as between ship companies and trainees, is clearly hierarchical, making it difficult to demand corrections from the ship companies or even report unfair treatment on board.

The city branch stated, "Trainees are at the lowest point in the hierarchical relationship and bear structural risks," and added, "We hope the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will conduct a full investigation into labor human rights conditions during seafarer training, and take practical measures to improve treatment and human rights."