Seoul National University Cleaning Worker Dies After Suffering Workplace Bullying

Union at Press Conference: "Forced Dress Code for Meetings... Even English and Chinese Exams"
Bereaved Families: "Do Not Treat Workers with Coercive Attitude"
Seoul National University: "Discussion on Union Demands"

[Photo by Seoul National University] Seoul National University

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] Recently, a cleaning worker who was found dead in a break room on the Seoul National University (SNU) campus has been alleged to have suffered from 'workplace bullying.'

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) National Democratic General Labor Union held a press conference on the 7th in front of the SNU Administration Building in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, claiming, "The deceased experienced severe stress due to unfair bullying by SNU officials, including the newly appointed safety management team leader of the Gwanak Student Dormitory (dormitory) who started on the 1st of last month, military-style work orders, and intense labor demands."

The union added, "The safety management team leader held meetings with cleaning workers every Wednesday," criticizing, "Male cleaning workers were forced to wear suits during the meetings, while female workers were required to dress neatly and attractively."

The union also explained that the safety management team leader monitored the cleaning workers' meal times, newly implemented unprecedented cleaning inspections, and caused humiliation and stress by stating, "If you do not bring a pen and memo pad, your work evaluation score will be deducted by one point each."

Furthermore, it was reported that workers were made to take tests requiring them to write 'Gwanak Student Dormitory' in English or Chinese characters and to answer questions about the dormitory's first opening year, with the scores being publicly disclosed.

The union emphasized that the female dormitory where the deceased worked, Building 925, had no elevator, was aging, and was large in scale, resulting in particularly high work intensity.

At the press conference, the deceased’s husband, Mr. Lee, tearfully said, "I hope workers are not treated with coercive attitudes." A female union member present at the scene was unable to continue speaking and showed tears.

Park Moon-soon, Director of Legal and Policy Affairs at the Seoul Headquarters of the union, stated, "The cause of death was a ruptured acute myocardial infarction," adding, "We believe stress from workplace bullying contributed to this, and we plan to apply for industrial accident recognition together with the bereaved family."

The union delivered a protest letter to President Oh Se-jung, stating, "The school, which condones and protects managers who commit workplace bullying, must issue an official apology and establish countermeasures." They demanded the formation of a joint industrial accident investigation team and the dismissal of the safety management team leader.

In response, an SNU official said, "We will discuss the union's demands," and added, "While test questions and similar activities could be considered job training, they were deemed unnecessary and will not be conducted in the future."

Meanwhile, cleaning worker Mr. Lee (59) was found dead on the 26th of last month in the cleaning workers' break room at the SNU dormitory. It is presumed that he died while resting during the day, and he was reportedly free of any chronic illnesses.