No Plan to Discipline Problematic Part-Time Worker
Mask Touched by Part-Time Worker to Be Disposed
No Separate Product Recall or Compensation Plan
On the 4th, photos were posted on some internet communities showing a man engaging in unhygienic behavior, such as touching dozens of children's masks with his bare hands or rubbing them against his cheeks. / Photo by SNS capture
[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern reporter Juhyung Lim] Wellkips, a mask manufacturing and sales company, has officially apologized after a part-time worker was photographed engaging in unsanitary behavior while packaging masks and posted the photos on social networking services (SNS).
However, the company stated that there are no compensation plans for consumers, and no decision has been made regarding the disciplinary action for the part-time worker.
On the 5th, Jung Eunju, head of marketing at Wellkips, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "The masks handled by the part-time worker are still within the company and are scheduled to be discarded," adding, "(Therefore) it seems unnecessary to prepare separate product recalls or compensation plans."
Regarding the problematic masks, she emphasized, "After the incident occurred on the previous day (the 4th), the masks produced at that time have already been placed on shipment hold."
Jung explained the part-time worker’s behavior by saying, "The production line in the workplace is separated, so it is practically impossible for supervisors to manage all tasks," but added, "In cases like this incident, it is something that can be sufficiently detected if it actually happens. It seems that the part-time worker likely engaged in such behavior during break time rather than during actual work."
In response to criticism that some employees in the photos circulating online appeared not to be properly wearing hygiene equipment such as masks and protective clothing, she said, "All employees are required to disinfect their hands and wear gloves and masks before starting work," adding, "However, due to our company’s circumstances, not all employees can wear protective clothing, so it was primarily distributed to some employees performing critical tasks."
She further stated, "Following this incident, we plan to provide protective clothing to part-time workers as well." Regarding the disciplinary action for the part-time worker, she responded, "No decisions have been made yet."
Earlier on the 4th, photos showing a part-time worker at the Wellkips factory packaging masks with bare hands and rubbing the masks against their cheek, indicating unsanitary behavior, were posted on some online communities such as mom cafes, sparking controversy.
Some netizens reported this fact to Wellkips headquarters and official SNS accounts, demanding an explanation.
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