45 Companies with Fewer Than 30 Employees in Seoul Selected for Efforts to Create Safe Workplaces
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is selecting companies that are striving to create workplaces where workers' safety is guaranteed and health is protected, and providing triple-layered support including 'funding, management consulting, and publicity.'
On the 27th, Seoul announced that it will select 45 'Seoul-type Excellent Occupational Safety and Health Companies' targeting companies with fewer than 30 employees. Eligible companies must have their headquarters or main business site located in Seoul, have fewer than 30 employees, with no industry restrictions, and the certification period is two years.
Seoul introduced this certification system to prepare proactive support measures so that relatively vulnerable small-scale companies are not left in the blind spots of occupational safety, as the 'Serious Accident Punishment Act' will be enforced for workplaces with 50 or more employees starting next year, and from 2024, the law will also apply to workplaces with fewer than 50 employees.
The certified companies are divided into two types. 'Excellent Companies (30 companies)' that comply with industrial safety and health laws and create a safe working environment above appropriate standards, demonstrating exemplary management, and 'Improvement Companies (15 companies)' that have the will to create a safe working environment but face difficulties due to lack of budget and personnel.
Once certified as an 'Excellent Occupational Safety and Health Company,' companies will first receive up to 12 million KRW per company as 'Labor Environment Improvement Funds.' The funds can be used for purchasing safety equipment and emergency first aid supplies, industrial accident prevention training costs, improving aging workplaces and rest facilities, etc. The amount of support is determined by evaluating the labor environment fund utilization plan submitted by each company.
Customized labor consulting and labor counseling are also provided free of charge. A 'Village Labor Attorney' visits the company directly to provide the business owner with essential information on labor-related laws and employee management. Additionally, the certification certificate and plaque are awarded, and support for publicity and marketing is provided to enhance the company's image and competitiveness. In particular, to expand the occupational safety corporate culture, excellent company cases will be continuously discovered and shared among companies.
Companies with fewer than 30 regular workers located in Seoul can participate in the Occupational Safety and Health Company Certification Project. Applications can be submitted in person or by mail with the required documents by May 17th next month. The evaluation process consists of a first round of document screening and a second round of expert on-site visits, with the final selection made by a selection committee composed of experts.
Seo Seong-man, Director of Labor and Livelihood Policy at Seoul City, said, "The purpose of this certification system is to provide detailed support such as funding, management consulting, and publicity to companies actively working to protect workers' safety and health, ensuring a safe working environment is maintained." He added, "We will listen to voices from the field and continue efforts to foster a labor culture where private companies voluntarily take the lead in creating safe workplaces."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
