28% of Workplace Bullying Reporters Experience Retaliation Instead

Jikjang Gapjil 119, Survey of 1,000 Workers
"Only 14.5% Achieved Rights Remedy"

A survey revealed that 3 out of 10 workers who reported 'workplace harassment' experienced unfavorable treatment because they reported it.

On the 16th, the civic group Workplace Bullying 119 announced that in a survey conducted last month by the public opinion research firm 'Embrain Public' targeting 1,000 workers, 28.6% of respondents answered this way. According to the survey, 2 out of 3 reporters (64.3%) responded that the obligation to investigate and take action was not fulfilled after reporting.

[Image source=Pixabay]

According to data received by Workplace Bullying 119 from the office of Kim Young-jin of the Democratic Party, since the enforcement of the 'Workplace Harassment Prohibition Act' (Article 76 of the Labor Standards Act, Anti-Gapjil Act) in July 2019 until last month, out of 28,731 cases of workplace harassment reported to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, only 4,168 cases, or 14.5% of the total, received rights relief. The methods of rights relief were ▲ improvement guidance (3,254 cases) most frequently, followed by ▲ referral to prosecution (513 cases) and ▲ imposition of fines (401 cases).

Among the total 37,321 reports including overlapping types, verbal abuse accounted for 43.2% (12,418 cases), nearly half, followed by ostracism and slander at 10.7% (4,009 cases), and discrimination at 3.3% (1,246 cases). Additionally, 3 out of 10 victims of workplace harassment reported being harassed by the employer (24.3%) or their relatives (3.9%).

Workplace Bullying 119 pointed out, "Although the Anti-Gapjil Act has been in effect for 4 years, 85.5% of the cases reported to the Ministry of Employment and Labor are being neglected," adding, "Behind this is an unreasonable reality where 'labor weak groups' in blind spots such as workplaces with fewer than 5 employees and subcontracted workers are not properly protected." They further suggested, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor should actively conduct special labor inspections, and the National Assembly and government should fully apply the Labor Standards Act to protect labor weak groups."