Kang Kyung-duk, New Year Press Conference
"Companies to Reinforce Safety and Health Personnel and Expand Budgets"
Expresses "Regret" to KEPCO over Subcontractor Electrocution Death
Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk speaking at an online press conference on the 6th. (Photo by Ministry of Employment and Labor)
[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] An Kyung-duk, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated on the 6th regarding the Serious Accident Punishment Act, which will be enforced from the 27th, "I expect that the number of industrial accident deaths this year will decrease to the low 700s as a result of this law."
Minister An said at an online press conference held to mark the New Year, "Many companies are reinforcing personnel related to safety and health and expanding budgets and systems," expressing this view.
Minister An reported that the number of industrial accident deaths last year was 828, marking the lowest ever. He said, "Although it is the lowest ever, it is regrettable that it does not meet the level expected by the public," and added, "We will ensure that all workers can work in safe and healthy workplaces through the enforcement of the law." The annual number of industrial accident deaths was 1,129 in 2011, 1,134 in 2012, and 1,090 in 2013, then dropped below 1,000 from 2014, showing a decreasing trend with 855 in 2019, 882 in 2020, and 828 last year.
Regarding the Serious Accident Punishment Act, Minister of Justice Park Beom-gye recently stated that "sentencing guidelines should be reestablished to ensure punishments commensurate with responsibility." Minister An introduced an order from President Moon Jae-in at the first Cabinet meeting of this year in response. Minister An said, "The President said, 'The purpose of the Serious Accident Punishment Act is to prevent industrial accidents, but if a management official neglects or condones risk factors leading to a worker's death, a strict investigation and punishment should be carried out,'" and added, "I understand Minister Park's remarks in that context."
Minister An also disclosed that after a subcontractor worker of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) died in an electric shock accident last November, which was belatedly reported by the media, he had a phone conversation with KEPCO President Jeong Seung-il. Minister An said, "I expressed regret over the repeated occurrence of such accidents at KEPCO," and added, "'If such accidents occur after the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, the KEPCO president could also be punished,'" he said. He emphasized, "I specially urged that public institutions should take a leading role in reducing fatal accidents," but added, "However, since this accident occurred before the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, it is inappropriate to mention the applicability of the law."
Minister An explained, "Many companies say that the role of management officials is too ambiguous regarding this law, but we tried to specify it concretely in the enforcement decree," and added, "I think it can be sufficiently understood by referring to the law explanation book, guidebook, and self-inspection checklist produced and distributed by the Ministry of Employment and Labor."
Regarding the possibility that the 'Public Institution Labor Director System,' which passed the full meeting of the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee the day before, could expand beyond public institutions to private companies, he said, "We need to see how it settles in public institutions," and added, "Discussion is needed on whether it should be mandatory in the private sector."
On the ongoing discussions in the National Assembly about applying the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees, he said, "We will faithfully support the National Assembly's discussions," and added, "If necessary, it is also important to maintain the discussion channel through the Economic, Social and Labor Council."
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