Campaign groups had claimed that out of 320 people who had developed work-related illnesses after being employed by Samsung Electronics, 118 had died
Samsung Electronics, a brand known for its appliances and consumer electronics in the world, on Friday apologised to workers who had developed cancer after working at its LCD and semiconductor factories. Campaign groups had claimed that out of 320 people who had developed work-related illnesses after being employed by Samsung Electronics, 118 had died.
Kim Ki-nam, company’s co-president, said, “We have failed to properly manage health risks at our semiconductor and LCD factories. We sincerely apologise to the workers who suffered from illness and their families.”
Samsung Electronics is known as the world’s biggest mobile phone manufacturer and chip-maker. It is a flagship subsidiary of the Samsung Group. The company has agreed to pay compensation of as much as $132,000 (150 million won) per illness.
Agreement between employees and Samsung
Anyone who has worked at the company’s chip and LCD production lines located in Giheung, south of Seoul, since 1984 will be able to apply for compensation. Jipyong, a South-Korea based law firm has been assigned the task of carrying out compensations.
The deadline for the compensation has been set as October 2028. However, this deadline can be extended based on circumstances.
The signed agreement covers 16 types of cancer, rare illnesses, miscarriages and congenital diseases suffered by workers’ children. It has been signed following a 10-year long battle.
Relatives’ leader Hwang Sang-gi told reporters, “The apology is not enough for the families of the victims but we will accept it. No amount of apology can be enough to heal the insults, the pain of industrial injuries, and the suffering of losing one’s family.”
Samsung has also announced to donate an amount of 50 billion won ($4,41,33,750) to the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency along. The amount will be used to improve workers’ safety and health in South Korea.
