Brick factory worker in Naju fined for forklift abuse of foreign colleague

A migrant worker from Sri Lanka is bound to a load of bricks with plastic wrap at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla Province, Feb. 25, in this photo released in July. Courtesy of Gwangju-Jeonnam Migrant Workers Network

The abuse of a foreign worker at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla Province, earlier this year has led to criminal charges and a fine against a Korean perpetrator.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor on Sunday announced the results of its investigation into serious abuses of migrant workers at the brickworks.

This came after a video went viral, showing a Sri Lankan worker, 31, bound to a load of bricks with plastic wrap and hoisted into the air by the forklift operator on Feb. 26, while other Korean colleagues watched and mocked the victim.

Inspectors from the ministry’s regional office in Gwangju said the video-documented abuse constitutes assault and workplace bullying under the Labor Standards Act. So the forklift operator was immediately slapped with a fine of 3 million won ($2,100) by the ministry. The suspect also faces prosecution in connection with this case for criminal offenses including special confinement and special assault — both of which involve group actions.

The investigators confirmed additional labor violations at the factory. A total of 21 current and former employees, including eight foreign nationals, had not received legally mandated wages and other benefits, resulting in 29 million won in unpaid wages. Other violations such as excessive working hours and failure to stipulate employment conditions were also found.

The ministry said it has ordered the business owner to rectify these breaches to ensure the rights of all employees. If the violations are not corrected within the mandated timeframe, further criminal prosecution will be pursued, it added.

Moreover, the factory is banned from hiring foreign workers for the next three years.

“Protecting labor rights should never depend on language or skin color,” Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said. “The ministry will regularly hold special reporting and counseling days for foreign worker protection, and take all necessary measures to listen to and address the difficulties faced by migrant laborers.”

The abuse video ignited public outrage and prompted strong condemnation from President Lee Jae Myung, who called it a “blatant violation of human rights.” He said violence against and exploitation of minorities and the vulnerable will not be tolerated, pledging robust government response and preventive action.