Workers Continue to Die in Heat Wave... Human Rights Commission Says "No More Ignoring This"

Deaths in Incheon and Gumi... 80% of Heat-Related Fatalities Occur Outdoors
Simple Laborers Most Vulnerable... ILO Recognizes Heat Waves as Occupational Accidents
Labor Ministry's Mandatory Break Proposal Fails Regulatory Review
Human Rights Commission Urges Urgent Measures Such as Adjusting Working Hours

Fatal accidents involving outdoor workers are continuing amid the heat wave. On July 6, a worker in his 50s died while conducting a survey below a manhole in Incheon. The following day, a 23-year-old Vietnamese migrant worker, who was on his first day at a construction site in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, died from a heat-related illness.

On July 11, the National Human Rights Commission of Korea issued a statement saying, "A heat wave is not just a seasonal issue but a violation of the right to life," and urged the government to implement effective protective measures.

In reality, more than 80% of heat-related deaths occur outdoors, and simple laborers account for the highest proportion among occupational groups at 21.2%. The commission also referenced the constitutional obligation to guarantee the right to life and health, as well as the International Labour Organization (ILO) standards on industrial accidents.

The government's institutional response remains stagnant. Earlier this year, the Ministry of Employment and Labor attempted to revise regulations to mandate a 20-minute break within two hours when the perceived temperature exceeds 33 degrees Celsius. However, the proposal failed to pass the Regulatory Reform Committee due to concerns about the burden on business owners.

The commission is currently investigating the status of rest and hygiene rights for field workers in construction, platform, and agriculture, fisheries, and livestock industries. It is also pursuing institutional improvements, such as adjusting working hours for non-essential tasks during periods of extreme heat. The commission emphasized, "The life and safety of workers must be the top priority," and stressed that fundamental measures are urgently needed to prevent deaths caused by heat waves.