SAMSUNG SICKENS AND KILLS THOUSANDS OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY WORKERS FROM TOXIC POISONING
Samsung Electronics apologized Friday for illnesses and deaths of some of
its workers, saying it failed to create a safe working environment at its
computer chip and display factories.
The announcement by the South Korean technology giant came weeks after the
company and a group representing ailing Samsung workers agreed to accept
compensation terms suggested by a mediator and end a highly-publicized
standoff that went on for more than a decade. The company's apology was
part of the settlement.
Kinam Kim, president of Samsung's device solutions division, said the
company failed to "sufficiently manage health threats" at its
semiconductor and liquid crystal display manufacturing lines. As detailed
in Associated Press reporting over the past decade, dozens of employees
who worked there have experienced grave illnesses such as leukemia and
brain tumors.
"We offer our sincere apology to our workers who have suffered with
illnesses and their families," Kim said during a news conference in Seoul,
which was also attended by activists and relatives of the workers.
But while cutting a deal and loosely admitting to lapses in safety
standards, Samsung has yet to fully acknowledge its workplace environment
as the direct cause of the illnesses.
Samsung apologizes over sicknesses, deaths of some workers
Kinam Kim, President & CEO, Device Solutions, Samsung Electronics
apologizes in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. Samsung
Electronics has apologized for the sickness and deaths of some of its
workers, saying it failed to create a …more
The standoff began in 2007 when taxi driver Hwang Sang-gi refused to
accept a settlement after his 23-year-old daughter died of leukemia after
working at a Samsung factory. Hwang's efforts to clarify the cause of
Yu-mi's death and hold Samsung responsible for problems related to working
conditions galvanized a broader movement to hold businesses and the
government accountable for safety lapses in the chip and display
industries, which use huge amounts of chemicals.
"No apology would be enough when considering the deception and humiliation
we experienced (from Samsung) over the past 11 years, the pain of
suffering from occupational diseases, the pain of losing loved ones,"
Hwang said at the news conference. "But I take today's apology as a
promise from Samsung Electronics," to improve the safety of its
workplaces, he said.
According to the settlement, Samsung will compensate for various illnesses
of employees who have worked at its chip and LCD factories since 1984,
including as much as 150 million won ($132,000) for leukemia. The
compensation also covers miscarriages and congenital illnesses of the
workers' children such as child cancer.
Samsung apologizes over sicknesses, deaths of some workers
Hwang Sang-gi, right, father of former Samsung semiconductor factory
worker Hwang Yu-mi who died from leukemia in 2007, Kinam Kim, left,
President & CEO of Samsung Electronics Device Solutions and Kim
Ji-hyung, center, a chairman of the …more
Since 2008, dozens of workers have sought occupational safety compensation
from the government. Few won compensation, mostly after years of court
battles. Half the remaining claims were rejected and half remain under
review.
Families of the victims often have depleted their savings and sold their
homes to pay hospital bills. Some workers end up incapacitated and unable
to work.
Samsung apologizes over sicknesses, deaths of some workers
Hwang Sang-gi, right, father of former Samsung semiconductor factory
worker Hwang Yu-mi who died from leukemia in 2007, shakes hands with Kinam
Kim, left, President & CEO of Samsung Electronics Device Solutions
after Kim apologized in …more
Explore further: Samsung apologizes to sickened chip workers (Update)