Metalworkers' Union Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch Urges "Prevention of Recurrence of GGM Worker Fatal Accidents"

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Gwan-woo] Following last year, a worker has again died in an accident at the construction site of Gwangju Global Motors (GGM), prompting the local labor union to urge Gwangju Metropolitan City, the largest shareholder of GGM, to prevent recurrence.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Korean Metal Workers' Union (KMWU) held a press conference at the main gate of Gwangju City Hall on the afternoon of the 25th, stating, "GGM, an automobile specialized manufacturer promoted as a Gwangju-type job, is becoming a factory of workers' deaths," and urged, "Gwangju Metropolitan City, the largest shareholder of GGM, should officially apologize for this accident, dismiss CEO Park Kwang-tae, and prepare comprehensive measures."

The reason they metaphorically called GGM a factory of workers' deaths is that on the 23rd, a worker in his 50s fell and died while performing equipment work at the GGM painting factory in the Bitgreen National Industrial Complex in Hampyeong, Jeonnam. Prior to this, in August last year, a worker was crushed and died on the same site by a high-altitude work platform.

The proposal to dismiss the CEO is interpreted as a demand to hold GGM accountable for the recurrence of fatal accidents due to insufficient preventive measures despite consecutive worker deaths.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Metal Workers' Union criticized, "GGM has shown negligence in safety awareness by neglecting preventive measures even after the worker's death accident in August last year," adding, "Another fatal accident occurred in just five months, turning the 'win-win job' slogan into an empty phrase."

They also called for responsible action from Gwangju Metropolitan City, the largest shareholder of GGM.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam branch of the Metal Workers' Union stated, "Gwangju City said after the previous fatal accident that it would place the basic value of the labor-management coexistence city of Gwangju on respecting life and do its best with related organizations to prevent such incidents from happening again. On September 28 last year, the Gwangju Metropolitan City Industrial Safety and Health Support Ordinance was enacted," but condemned, "Yet another serious worker death accident has occurred. Gwangju City should hold responsibility not by punishing the person in charge but by dismissing CEO Park Kwang-tae."

They added, "Gwangju City should not only investigate this accident but also operate a 'Safety and Health Guardians Group' involving labor unions and civil society experts for everyday labor safety, ensuring that the Industrial Safety and Health Support Ordinance is practically implemented at the site."