Vietnamese worker's family settles with employer after fatal accident

The tragic death of Tuan, a young Vietnamese migrant worker, in an industrial accident at Jungang Industry has finally seen a resolution with a settlement reached between his bereaved family and the company. This agreement, facilitated by the Gyeonggi Migrant Equality Network, includes compensation on par with domestic workers and a formal apology from the company's CEO. While this brings a measure of closure, it also shines a harsh light on the precarious conditions faced by many migrant laborers in South Korea.

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We sincerely apologize to the bereaved family who lost their loved one.

For us at Hankyoreh, this case is a stark reminder of the systemic issues that plague the treatment of migrant workers. The fact that Tuan's family had to fight for equitable compensation, battling against practices that historically shortchanged migrant workers based on their visa status or home country income, is unacceptable. The company's apology, while necessary, comes after a month of anguish for Tuan's brother, who traveled from Vietnam to be present at the site of his brother's death.

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From the beginning until now, to everyone who has been by our side and given us strength as we fought to regain our rights, especially to the Korean labor unions, we express our sincere and deep gratitude.

The Gyeonggi Migrant Equality Network rightly points out that this settlement transcends previous discriminatory practices in compensation. However, they also emphasize the government's failure in overseeing workplaces under the Employment Permit System (EPS). This incident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety inspections, especially for small and medium-sized businesses, and a serious re-evaluation of the EPS itself. The network's call for the abolition of the EPS, which restricts workers' freedom of movement, is a sentiment echoed by many who witness the vulnerability of migrant workers.

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The practice of applying only the remaining visa period for income earned in Korea when calculating industrial accident compensation for migrant workers, and then using their home country's income as a basis afterward, has been overcome in this agreement for compensation without discrimination.

From our perspective, this is not just about one tragic accident. It's about the broader societal responsibility to ensure that all workers, regardless of nationality, are treated with dignity and afforded the same protections. The international media might focus on the accident itself, but for us, the crucial story lies in the fight for rights, the systemic failures exposed, and the ongoing struggle for true equality for migrant workers in Korea. Tuan's brother's gratitude towards Korean labor unions highlights the solidarity that exists, but also the gaps that remain in ensuring fundamental worker protections.

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The government's inspection and management failures at workplaces under the Employment Permit System have been confirmed once again in this incident.