By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

The nation's largest union umbrella group has launched a campaign to make discount stores and other workplaces to provide chairs for workers who are forced to stand during working hours.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said Wednesday the move is to prevent stress injuries caused by having to stand still in one spot for too long.

According to the union's research, many workers at department stores, discount stores, highway rest houses and ice cream and fast food chains have no chair to sit on while taking a break or working. It often leads to varicose veins in the lower extremities and bone or heart disease. Many women suffer miscarriages and premature delivery.

The National Human Rights Commission in January said 58 percent of female non-permanent workers working at supermarkets as cashiers and sales clerks had back problems. About 53 percent, 47 percent and 40 percent had gynecological, blood vein and urination problems, respectively.

The Industrial Safety and Health Law obliges management to provide chairs or stools for workers to sit on while taking breaks. Workers can sit while not dealing with customers.

In reality, very few people are aware of the law, spokeswoman Oh Moon-sook said.

``Many female workers complain about swollen legs and not being able to sleep but still having to smile at the workplace because they are service agents,'' she added.

In most developed countries, allowing service workers to sit on chairs is considered as a move to guarantee the individual's right to stay healthy and happy, as well as abolishing social discrimination.

In the United Kingdom, there were reports that standing while working reflects social prejudice, suggesting sitting is for white collar workers and standing is for blue collar workers.

The country's largest workers group, the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, is promoting chairs and other equipment to enhance the quality of workers' rights.

Supermarket giants Tesco and Sainsbury allow workers to choose between sitting and standing during work.

In Scandinavian countries, only 30-40 percent of workers spend more than 75 percent of their work time standing. Amid the changes, experts found customers showed more respect toward seated workers.

``Chairs are not only about making workers physically healthy, but also mentally healthy by reducing stress,'' a report said.

Renowned health experts such as Prof. Choijung Kyoung-hee at Kyung Hee University Medical Center will figure out exact diseases and symptoms related to the absence of chairs by the end of the month and the aforementioned union will begin its nationwide promotion of the recommended equipment. ``We aim at having all workers have chairs to sit on at last,'' Oh said.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr