Samsung Sorry For Factory Workers’ Cancer
Ending over a decade long dispute, Samsung Electronics has publicly apologised to employees and families of those who developed cancer by working at its LCD and semiconductor factories.
The world’s largest chipmaker admits it failed to manage health risks associated with manufacturing processes:
“We sincerely apologise to the workers who suffered from illness and their families,” said Samsung Co-President Kim Ki-nam.
“We have failed to properly manage health risks at our semiconductor and LCD factories.”
Following a deal arranged earlier this month, Samsung will offer compensation of up to US$133,000 per case [150 million won].
As per AFP, campaign groups assert around 320 people suffered work related illnesses after being employed by Samsung Electronics, with 118 dying.
Compensation will cover 16 forms of cancer (e.g. leukaemia), miscarriages, plus other rare illnesses suffered by workers’ children including congenital diseases.
The news follows a decade of legal proceedings between Samsung and Seoul’s labour welfare agency, expanding to claimants who worked at plants from 1984.
The scandal first emerged in 2007, after several Seoul factory workers and their families were diagnosed, or had died of cancer.
Reported by AFP, Hwang Sang-gi – father of a 22 year old employee who died of leukaemia in 2007 – asserts the apology is “not enough”, affirming “too many” suffered.