By Kim Yoo-chul
SK hynix said Friday that it has opened a medical consultation center to check on health-related issues involving its chip factory workers.
The center in Icheon will conduct health and safety checks on its chip plants and workers.
“This center will treat health issues for our employees, not only in Icheon but those working at the Cheongju NAND flash facility. This preemptive measure will improve working conditions and boost safety for our skilled employees,” company spokesman Son Kyung-bae said.
The center will study various diseases, such as leukemia and cancer. Renowned local doctors will collaborate with SK to find any links between working at the chip company and developing diseases.
Those who want to receive medical support and consultation about their health among former and current workers can file requests to the center, as well as at Hanyang University Healthcare Center and St. Mary's Hospital Medical Center.
Since October, the SK Group's semiconductor affiliate has been running an independent committee with experts and representatives of the company's labor union and management in order to tackle health-related issues.
SK hynix said it will properly compensate its workers who've developed serious illnesses, depending on the results of the medical checkups.
Son said the company will also form another committee in the near future to discuss compensation for potential victims and their families.