2,200 power plant workers to get regular job status
Rep. Cho Jeong-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea, second from right, announces the government and the ruling party's agreement to strengthen safety at coal-fired power plants, at the National Assembly, Tuesday. / Yonhap
By Jung Hae-myoung
The government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have agreed on providing 2,200 subcontracted workers at state-run power plants with permanent positions, in an effort to improve their poor working conditions and prevent industrial accidents.
They announced the measure as a follow up to a revision bill passed in December to strengthen industrial safety. The bill followed the death of Kim Yong-gyun, a 24-year-old subcontract worker who was killed in a conveyer belt accident at a coal-fired power plant in Taean, South Chungcheong Province, Dec. 11.
According to the government, 2,266 people employed by subcontractors are working at power plants run by the five public power companies. The government and the DPK are considering setting up a public organization supervising the five companies and having it hire the workers directly and provide them with regular job status.
“A consultative body, consisting of representatives of the workers and the management of the five power companies as well as experts in the field, will be formed to discuss the issue, including salary levels and working conditions,” said Rep. Cho Jeong-sik, a chief policymaker of the DPK, at a briefing at the National Assembly, Tuesday.
Considering Kim died while working a night shift alone ― contrary to regulations ― the government and the party said they would ensure safety regulations are followed thoroughly at the plants, alongside the installation of more safety facilities, with old equipment being replaced.
A safety management committee will be established at each of the plants, in which workers and civic group members will monitor the working environment and recommend improvements in safety.
The government and the ruling party also agreed to form a fact-finding commission to look into Kim's death.
“The commission will be formed immediately in order to investigate the structural problems behind the accident and come up with a fundamental solution to the problem in order to prevent another tragedy,” Cho said.
The Korea Western Power, which operates the power plant where Kim died, should fully cooperate with the investigation conducted by the commission, allowing on-site examinations and filming of the facilities, submitting related materials to the commission, and following summons as required.
Kim Mi-sook, the mother of deceased worker Kim Yong-gyun, gives a speech at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul, after the government and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea agreed to institute follow-up measures to improve the working environment for irregular workers, Tuesday./ Yonhap
Following the agreement, Kim's family decided to hold a funeral ceremony Saturday. The family had refused to hold the ceremony until the government promised to provide the better working conditions.
A memorial altar will be set up at Seoul National University Hospital from today until Saturday, when another memorial service will be held at Taean Power Plant. The plant operator will cover the funeral and other memorial service expenses.
Kim Mi-sook, Kim's mother, said there shouldn't be any more deaths like her son's. “I want to save Yong-gyun's colleagues and protect their mothers and families from getting hurt like I was,” she said in a press conference at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul after the government announcement.