South Korean police launch 100-day nationwide crackdown on migrant worker abuse
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A Sri Lankan man tied to a forklift being lifted off the ground at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla province, South Korea.
PHOTO: GWANGJU JEONNAM MIGRANT WORKERS’ HUMAN RIGHTS NETWORK
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SEOUL - South Korean police will launch a 100-day special crackdown on abuses against migrant workers, the Korean National Police Agency said on Aug 18.
Each of South Korea’s 18 regional police agencies has formed a special unit that will operate through Nov 25 to investigate cases of violence, assault, confinement, coercion, humiliation, sexual abuse and labour exploitation.
The initiative follows nationwide outrage over a video showing a Sri Lankan worker being strapped to a forklift
The incident occurred at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla province, where the Sri Lankan, who had been working there for just three months, was allegedly harassed by a Korean forklift driver in his 50s after making mistakes on the job.
The police units will identify potential cases by analysing 112 emergency calls and gathering information from foreign worker support centres run by non-governmental organisations and multicultural organisations. They will launch investigations when necessary.
The authorities will also establish a hotline with the South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labour to conduct joint on-site inspections, and promptly notify the ministry of cases that fall under its jurisdiction, such as unpaid wages.
Sri Lanka’s ambassador to South Korea, Ms Savitri Panabokke, visited Naju on Aug 17 and called for stronger protection of migrant workers’ rights and measures to prevent human rights abuses.
“Although it is regrettable that such an incident occurred, the city has shown strong support and concern. The embassy will also seek to prevent a recurrence through labour education programmes for our nationals,” she said. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
