“Samsung Heavy Industries accused of migrant worker discrimination, rights violations”
Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI)…unfairly dismissed migrant workers, withheld wages and violated their human rights.
A union of subcontracted shipyard workers under the Korean Metal Workers’ Union said in a recent press release that SHI forced three migrant employees, who had worked at its shipyard for about six months under E-7-3 visas for skilled workers, to resign this month despite having two-year contracts.
The union said it was unreasonable to believe the E-7-3 visa holders voluntarily resigned, noting that the workers each paid at least 10 million won ($6,800) to come to Korea and would need to return home if they quit voluntarily…
The union also pointed to discrimination in meal services at the shipyard.
Unlike Korean workers, who receive free lunches and pay 1,000 won for each breakfast and dinner, migrant workers have reportedly had 180,000 won in meal fees deducted from their monthly salaries since last year, regardless of whether they eat the meals…
…“yellow and red card” system as an example of human rights violations. The company allegedly displays yellow or red cards in public areas to warn migrant workers about safety, quality control or performance issues.
“Because the practice is humiliating, the company does not apply it to Korean workers,” the union said…
SHI said it is reviewing the union’s claims to determine whether they are accurate.