Labor Groups: "Labor Office Gave a Free Pass in 'Worker Death During Heat Wave' Case"

Gwangju Jeonnam Labor Safety and Health Keeper Holds Press Conference to Condemn Labor Authorities
"Labor office grants company a free pass in young worker's heat wave death"

Gwangju Jeonnam Labor Safety and Health Keeper is holding a press conference in front of the Gwangju Regional Employment Office on the morning of the 1st. Photo by Gwangju Jeonnam Labor Safety and Health Keeper

Labor organizations in Gwangju and Jeonnam condemned the labor authorities for issuing a "no charges" decision against the company in the case of an air conditioner installation worker who showed symptoms of heat-related illness during last year's heat wave and died after being neglected.

On the morning of the 1st, Gwangju Jeonnam Labor Safety and Health Keeper held a press conference in front of the Gwangju Regional Employment and Labor Office, stating, "The young worker in his 20s who died in the heat wave was once again neglected by the labor office," and added, "We denounce the labor office for granting the company a free pass without a proper investigation."

On August 13 last year, Yang (27), who was on his second day of work installing air conditioners, showed symptoms of heat-related illness after being exposed to the heat wave and died after being left unattended for about an hour.

The organization pointed out, "At first, the company did not respond to the bereaved family's request for an apology and instead distorted the facts, claiming the deceased had a pre-existing condition," and continued, "For a month, the bereaved family demanded an apology, a thorough investigation, and measures to prevent recurrence. They held the funeral for their son only after the company promised to fulfill these demands."

They further stated, "After 10 months, on the 18th of last month, the Gwangju Regional Employment and Labor Office concluded the case of the young worker who died after being neglected in the heat wave with a no charges decision," and criticized, "The labor office is making absurd claims, saying the company sufficiently provided water, shade, and rest; that the deceased attacked a coworker and left the site alone in a state of delirium; and that contacting the mother three times was sufficient to fulfill their post-incident rescue obligations."

They also questioned, "If water, shade, and rest were sufficiently provided, how could someone die?" and emphasized, "Is it appropriate for the labor office to take the lead in attributing symptoms of heat stroke to mental delirium and damaging the deceased's reputation?"

Additionally, they added, "If, after dragging the investigation out for 10 months, this is the conclusion reached, then the labor office has no reason to exist," and urged, "We call on the government and local authorities to come up with realistic measures to protect the safety and health of workers and farmers during heat waves."