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5 Nepalese workers in Korea found dead in June: advocacy group
Foreign migrants pour molten iron into molds at a molding factory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, in this October 2021 photo. Korea Times file
By Ko Dong-hwan
By Ko Dong-hwan
Five Nepalese migrant workers in Korea died alone in June, including one who killed himself, according to a local advocacy group. All the deaths were related to mental distress and physical overload from their workplaces, the group said.
The report from Wednesday came from the Migrants' Trade Union (MTU) under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' (KCTU) Seoul chapter. The KCTU is one of the country's two biggest umbrella labor unions.
Among the deaths, four have been detailed by the MTU, including names of the deceased and dates and locations of the deaths.
The organization particularly detailed the case of Pulami Tek Bahadur, 31, who was working at a stone building material manufacturer in Iksan, North Jeolla Province. He was found dead inside his dormitory by his co-worker on the morning of June 28.
The MTU said Pulami started suffering from gastroenteritis and colitis in March due to his carrying heavy stones outdoors. He tried to change jobs but his release request was rejected by his employer, which “seemed to have worsened his pain,” according to the group. The employer also accused him of feigning back pain and fatigued limbs he complained of.
The group had a testimony from Pulami's co-worker who disclosed a list of abuses they had experienced from the employer ― not being allowed to change jobs or receive medical treatment at hospitals and being forced to work on statutory holidays without giving them time off in lieu.
Police investigation into Pulami's death found no exact cause, according to the MTU.
While defining Pulami's case as an “unforeseen death,” the advocacy group revealed two other similar cases.
Budha Magar Amar, 26, also working with stone building materials, suffered a sudden breathing problem in the early morning of June 25. He was taken to a hospital's emergency ward but was pronounced dead on arrival.
Budha used to complain about being physically overloaded at his workplace in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, according to the MTU that cited his co-workers.
Anan Rai, who was working at a pig farm in Hongseong County, South Chungcheong Province, was found dead on June 16. He came to Korea a year ago, according to the advocacy group.
Chatra Bahadur Basnet, 23, who was working at a wooden container box manufacturing factory in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province, was found dead on June 26. MTU said he took his own life.
The advocacy group found that Chatra came to Korea last May and was originally sent to the manufacturer's main base in Gwangju, but was illegally moved to work at an affiliate factory in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province.
He experienced discrimination and threats there, as the employer deemed him incompetent at his work and excluded him from factory operations. The deceased particularly suffered mental distress when the employer told him he would have him deported to Nepal.
Jeong Young-seop from the MTU told The Korea Times on Thursday that all the cases have been investigated by local police and the bodies of the deceased have been repatriated to Nepal.