Following Ansan, 'Laborer Workwear Laundry' Opens in Siheung

Siheung-si Blooming Laundry Opening Ceremony

The second worker uniform laundry service, which provides a one-stop service from collection to washing and delivery of work clothes for workers in small and medium-sized enterprises at an affordable cost, has opened in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province.

On the 16th, Gyeonggi Province held an opening ceremony for the ‘Gyeonggi-do Worker Uniform Siheung City Blooming Laundry’ near the Siwha National Industrial Complex in Siheung City.

The opening ceremony was attended by Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, Im Byung-taek, Mayor of Siheung, and city council members. Labor and management organizations in Siheung, related organizations, and citizens also joined to support the start of the second Blooming Laundry in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province.

Following Ansan, the ‘Siheung City Blooming Laundry,’ the second to open, was established near the Siwha Industrial Complex with an area of 390㎡.

The installation costs were shared equally between Gyeonggi Province and local governments. Additionally, operating expenses will be supported to ensure the stable settlement of the laundry. Inside the laundry, essential facilities and equipment such as three large-capacity washing machines, three dryers, and steam irons are installed. The interior is divided into the first and second floors: the first floor is dedicated to washing workspaces, and the second floor is equipped with rest areas and other convenience facilities so that workers can balance work and rest. Notably, it is located about 1 km from the Siwha Industrial Complex, improving accessibility for nearby companies and taking advantage of laundry collection and delivery.

Workers in the industrial complex and nearby small and medium-sized enterprises can use the service. Priority support is given to businesses with fewer than 50 employees and their workers. Spring and autumn uniforms cost 1,000 KRW per set (500 KRW per piece), and winter uniforms cost 2,000 KRW per set (1,000 KRW per piece), easing the economic burden on workers. Each workplace is provided with a one-stop service from collection to washing and delivery.

Gyeonggi Province and Siheung City plan to expand publicity to introduce the public laundry service to residents in cooperation with the local chamber of commerce, labor organizations, and the regional labor-management-government council, so that more workers can benefit from the laundry business.

Earlier, as the number of workplaces handling hazardous chemicals in the industrial complex increased, Gyeonggi Province planned the establishment of worker uniform laundries as a campaign pledge of the 8th administration. After a demand survey last year, support was decided for laundries in Ansan and Siheung, which have the largest industrial complexes in the province.

The Ansan Blooming Laundry, which opened in July, has processed over 8,000 pieces of laundry to date.

Next year, Gyeonggi Province plans to establish the first worker uniform laundry in northern Gyeonggi, in Paju.

Oh Hu-seok, Deputy Governor for Administration of Gyeonggi Province, said, "This project is a proactive labor policy at the local government level that not only improves workers’ welfare but also alleviates economic burdens and creates jobs. Based on mutual trust and respect among labor, management, and local governments, we will build a win-win labor-management-government relationship and implement a Gyeonggi-do-style integrated labor welfare policy through mutual cooperation."