"Tied to Bricks and Lifted by Forklift"... Outrage Over Migrant Worker Human Rights Abuse in Local Community

Sri Lankan Worker Bound at Naju Brick Factory
Civic Groups Demand Accountability and Investigation

An incident occurred in Naju, Jeonnam, where a migrant worker was tied to cargo and lifted by a forklift. Provided by Jeonnam Migrant Workers Human Rights Network.

"I was tied together with bricks and lifted by a forklift. How can this be considered a prank?"

A video showing a Sri Lankan migrant worker bound with plastic tape and hung from a forklift at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla Province, has caused shock. On July 24, civic groups held a press conference in front of Naju City Hall, denouncing the incident as a "clear violation of human rights" and calling for a thorough investigation, punishment of those responsible, and a comprehensive survey of working conditions.

The controversial video, filmed in early July, is 58 seconds long and clearly shows a 31-year-old Sri Lankan national, referred to as A, tied to bricks with white plastic tape and suspended from a forklift. Colleagues nearby recorded the scene on their mobile phones while laughing, and one man shouted at A, "Did you do something wrong? Say you did something wrong."

Afterwards, A suffered repeated harassment and reported the abuse to the Gwangju-Jeonnam Migrant Workers' Human Rights Network. The organization released the video on July 23, stating, "An outrageous act has occurred in the workplace."

A civic group held a press conference in front of Naju City Hall, Jeollanam-do on the 24th to condemn the human rights violations against migrant workers at a brick factory in Naju. Provided by Gwangju Jeonnam Employment Labor Safety Keeper.

At the press conference held that day, the organizations said, "This is a horrific incident in which a person was treated like a brick," and emphasized, "This is not an isolated deviation, but the result of structural discrimination and violence that treats migrant workers as tools."

Participants in the press conference stated, "Today is the victim's birthday, but instead of joy, he is spending the day in violence and fear," demanding the establishment of a support system for psychological, legal, and medical assistance for the victim. They also urged Naju City and labor authorities to investigate and punish those responsible at the workplace, conduct a survey of labor conditions for industrial complexes and seasonal migrant workers in the area, and establish measures to prevent recurrence.

They pointed out, "Similar cases have been repeatedly occurring, such as the suicide of a Nepali worker at a pig farm in Yeongam County and the poor conditions faced by seasonal workers in Wando County," criticizing that "policies regarding migrant workers still remain focused on control and crackdowns."

Meanwhile, it is known that about 20 workers, including A, are currently employed at the factory. The organization plans to file a police complaint soon against those identified as perpetrators in the video.