[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The Seoul National University student group 'Joint Action for a Non-Precarious Seoul National University' officially demanded an apology from Seoul National University on the 31st regarding the Ministry of Employment and Labor's investigation results that cleaning workers experienced workplace harassment.
The Joint Action stated, "Until now, the school has avoided both apologizing and acknowledging responsibility for the power harassment against cleaning workers," and added, "Under the pretext of conducting an investigation by the Human Rights Center, the school has postponed the establishment of substantial measures to improve treatment."
They continued, "Now that the Ministry of Employment and Labor's investigation results have been released, it is time for apology and accountability," emphasizing, "An official apology from President Oh Se-jeong and urgent proposals for improving the labor environment are necessary."
The Joint Action also pointed out, "A thorough investigation without any sacred cows is needed regarding the responsibility of higher-ups who were not subject to this Ministry of Employment and Labor investigation and the comprehensive labor environment issues," and stated, "To identify the causes of industrial accidents and establish measures to prevent recurrence, the poor working conditions must be investigated together with the labor union."
Earlier, on the 26th of last month, a cleaning worker was found dead in the cleaning workers' break room at a Seoul National University dormitory. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and others have claimed that the school's 'power harassment' influenced the death of Mr. Lee.
The Ministry of Employment and Labor, which investigated the incident, judged that Seoul National University requiring cleaning workers to take a written test unrelated to their job duties and inspecting and evaluating the workers' attire constituted workplace harassment.
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