Kim Jooyoung: "We Will Analyze the Fundamental Causes"
Identifying Problems Through On-Site Investigations
Focusing on Guaranteeing the Right to Stop Work and the Right to Rest
The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to establish an "Industrial Accident Prevention Task Force" to analyze the causes of a series of industrial accidents and discuss improvements to related systems.
On July 10, Kim Jooyoung, a Democratic Party lawmaker, addressed the recent string of industrial accidents during a Democratic Party policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly. He stated, "The Democratic Party will form an Industrial Accident Prevention Task Force, analyze the fundamental causes of recurring industrial accidents, and establish a systematic institutional response." He added, "The task force will accurately identify problems through on-site investigations in industrial settings and build a rapid response system at the parliamentary level in the event of an accident. We also plan to address loopholes in the current industrial safety system and identify and pursue legislative tasks that can actually reduce industrial accidents."
On the 6th, a man in his 40s was rescued in a state of cardiac arrest, and a man in his 50s went missing in the manhole in Byeongbangdong, Gyeyang District, Incheon. Photo by Yonhap News
Kim, who also serves as the secretary of the Environment and Labor Committee for the Democratic Party, said, "We will work to raise public awareness about the seriousness of industrial accidents and build a social consensus for safer workplaces. In particular, we will focus on preparing effective measures such as guaranteeing the right to stop work and the right to rest." He emphasized, "Protecting the lives and safety of workers is the minimum responsibility of the state and politics. The Democratic Party will do its utmost to prepare effective measures to prevent industrial accidents and to create safe workplaces where all workers can work with peace of mind."
Jin Sungjoon, the Democratic Party's policy committee chairperson, stated at the meeting, "Recently, there have been a series of heartbreaking incidents, such as the manhole suffocation accident and the tragedy involving young sisters due to gaps in the care system. We will push for comprehensive measures to stop deaths in the workplace and sacrifices in blind spots." He continued, "We will establish a special body within the party to be in charge of preparing countermeasures to prevent industrial accidents and to strengthen the care system."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party plans to hold a working-level party-government consultation on July 15 regarding the heat wave.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
