Ministry of Employment and Labor: "Obstructing Fellow Resident Doctors' Return, Workplace Bullying"

Report to Hospital Jurisdiction Local Employment and Labor Office - Labor Portal
"Separate Reporting Channel to be Established for Report Status"

On the 25th, the Ministry of Employment and Labor stated that acts obstructing the return to work or duties of some residents who do not participate in the collective action of residents may constitute workplace harassment.

In a press release on the same day, the Ministry referred to Article 76, Paragraph 2 of the Labor Standards Act, stating, "Acts where many senior and junior residents and colleagues use their superior position or relationships to cause physical or mental pain to other workers beyond the appropriate scope of work or worsen the working environment constitute workplace harassment." It added, "In the case of residents, they hold both the status of trainees undergoing training and the status of workers."

The Ministry said, "Residents can report through the local employment and labor offices under each hospital's jurisdiction and the Labor Portal. A separate reporting channel will be established later based on the reporting status."

Furthermore, it stated, "If a report is received, the local employment and labor office will promptly verify the facts and respond strictly through investigations and orders for corrective actions to the employer." It also said, "We will establish a cooperative system with the Ministry of Health and Welfare so that when workplace harassment cases reported to the resident protection and reporting center are notified, we will promptly verify the facts and take necessary measures."

Finally, it said, "Each hospital has the responsibility to actively prevent workplace harassment and, in the event harassment occurs, to promptly investigate the facts and implement protective measures for the affected workers," adding, "We will actively guide the field in this regard."

Meanwhile, amid the recent collective resignation of residents opposing the government's plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000, controversy arose as a list containing personal information of residents remaining on site was posted on a doctor community, raising suspicions of ostracism. The group 'Dasaengui' (Medical Students and Residents with Different Opinions) raised critical voices, stating that residents and medical students who do not participate in the collective action are being bullied and coerced.