“Payanggeum Used for Responsibility Fees and Sponsorship... Not Embezzlement”
Salary Increase and Position Allowance Paid According to Regulations for Legitimate Operation
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jo Kyung, director of Gwangju Animal Shelter and CEO of Gachi Bodeum, who is in conflict with the Gwangju Animal Shelter Labor Union, has rebutted point by point the statement posted by the labor union.
The Gwangju Animal Shelter labor union posted a statement on the shelter's website bulletin board on the 6th, pointing out problems in shelter operations as conflicts with management intensified.
In response, Director Jo spoke out again.
First, he refuted the labor union's claim regarding embezzlement of public funds. Director Jo explained that adoption is the only way to prevent euthanasia or death, and the responsibility fee is intended to prevent abandonment.
Director Jo stated, “Even if we carefully screen out unqualified adopters during adoption counseling, there are cases of abandonment for irresponsible reasons such as ‘cannot control defecation’ or ‘shedding hair.’ We set the responsibility fee to try to prevent this.”
He continued, “However, since the accounting structure does not allow Gwangju Animal Shelter to receive abandonment fees from adopters who forcibly abandon pets, the fees were received under the name of sponsorship from the entrusted corporation,” adding, “The corporate sponsorship funds were used to purchase food for stray cats and cover treatment and protection costs for abandoned dogs.”
The second issue was the increase in labor costs.
Director Jo said, “Not only the director’s salary but all employees’ salaries have been increased by about 20% to 30% annually from 2016 to this year, and the city hall’s relevant department can verify these records,” adding, “The labor union tries to mislead by suggesting that only the director’s salary was unilaterally increased, but it is stipulated that the living wage of Gwangju City or higher must be paid every year, and this amount has been strictly paid.”
Regarding the secretary rank system, he said, “The position of secretary is indeed responsible for office work, accounting, and administration, and there is an administrative staff member at the Gwangju shelter,” adding, “However, even before Gachi Bodeum took over the consignment, one of the kennel staff was called a secretary, and under the condition of expecting that employee to serve as a middle manager, the highest rank allowance of 300,000 won was paid according to the operating regulations.”
He added, “It is also hard to understand the labor union’s claim that the operating organization’s setting and payment of employees’ base salary and allowances is a problem, as if the director gave benefits only to a specific person.”
He further explained, “Currently, 5 out of 12 shelter employees are union members, and among them, there are employees who have received complaints every year for animal abuse, employees who are late more than half of their monthly shifts or are late for half a day with false reasons, and employees who have received complaints every year for using abusive language during public service. Because of this, citizens have posted protest messages on the website against such unqualified employees joining the union.”
He added, “I understand that these expressions of citizens’ opinions may be perceived as criticizing the legitimate right of workers to unionize, which may cause discomfort to the labor union, and I deeply regret this.”
Director Jo said, “I am seriously considering whether to continue or give up the consignment operation of Gwangju Animal Shelter,” adding, “While operating under consignment, labor and management will cooperate to continue to provide heartworm treatment, parvovirus and coronavirus treatment, and neutering surgeries as before, and will do their best in managing and adopting shelter animals.”
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