'No Verbal Abuse of Apartment Security Guards' Regulation to Be Established... Government Joint Measures Announced

Thorough Prevention of Power Abuse and Protection of Victims... Ethics Education for Resident Representatives, etc.
Task Force Formed to Improve Apartment Security Guard System... Specifies Scope and Standards of Duties

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Regulations prohibiting verbal abuse against security guards will be established in the management rules of multi-family housing (apartments). Human rights respect education for security guards will be conducted for resident representatives and management office heads. Through the 'Multi-family Housing Security Guard System Improvement TF,' the actual working conditions of security guards will be identified and improvement measures will be devised.

On the 8th, the government announced the 'Multi-family Housing Security Guard Working Environment Improvement Measures,' jointly established by related ministries including the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, National Police Agency, and Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission.

This measure aims to prevent abuse such as verbal and physical violence against security guards by residents and to protect security guards. It is intended to ensure that security guards and other multi-family housing workers can work in a safe and respectful environment.

The main points are as follows. First, a system to prevent resident abuse and respond to victims will be established. The management rules of multi-family housing must include provisions on 'prohibition of verbal abuse and other acts against security guards and workers, and protection measures in case of occurrence.' Even before related laws are amended, a 'Standard Management Rules Guideline' will be prepared and local government heads will be recommended to reflect it in their management rules guidelines.

Reports of abuse against apartment security guards will be centralized to the 'Abuse Damage Report Center (National Sinmungo, www.epeople.go.kr).' Strict measures will be taken against crimes against security guards, and their identities will be protected during investigations. Ethical education, including respect for the human rights of security guards, will be provided to resident representatives and management office heads.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The employment relationship and working environment of apartment security guards will also be improved. Self-assessment of working conditions, labor management guidance, and labor inspections will be conducted, with focused guidance to establish the practice of long-term employment contracts for security guards.

Workers who suffer verbal abuse or other harm will be provided protective measures such as temporary suspension or reassignment of duties, and disadvantages due to requesting such measures will be prohibited. Support such as professional trauma counseling and stress counseling will also be provided to affected workers.

Additionally, a joint task force for multi-family housing security guard system improvement will be formed by related ministries to clarify the scope and standards of security guard duties. Improvement plans will be prepared considering the actual working conditions of security guards and the impact on employment.

Improvements to the approval system for health and rights protection of security guards, strengthening of rest and break standards, and improvements to the operation of the monitoring and enforcement worker approval system will also be reviewed. Regular surveys on working conditions such as contract period and working hours of security guards will be conducted and used for guidance and supervision of vulnerable complexes.

A government official stated, "While ensuring the smooth implementation of these measures, we will do our best to create a safe and respectful working environment for multi-family housing security guards through the voluntary efforts of residents, resident representative meetings, the role of local governments, and joint efforts of all parties involved."