Against Gigantic Capital; the Experience of Occupational Diseases and Struggle for Dignity of Samsung Electronic Workers in Korea Jeong-Ok Kong Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health(KILSH) Supporters for Health And Rights of People in Semiconductor Industry(SHARPs) APNEC-10 November 2011
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Against Gigantic Capital;
the Experience of Occupational Diseases and Struggle for Dignity of Samsung Electronic Workers in Korea
Jeong-Ok Kong Korea Institute of Labor Safety and Health(KILSH) Supporters for Health And Rights of People in Semi-
conductor Industry(SHARPs)
APNEC-10November 2011
Contents Background
Production of Electronics in aspects of OHS Electronics Industry in Korea Samsung Electronics
Occupational Diseases in Samsung The First Voice & Resonance “The Girl of Semiconductor” What the Victims Witness
Responses of Samsung & Govn. Distorted Truth, and Deceived Dignity Building Wide Network of Solidarity
‘Red signal’ about brain cancer. SMR of all causes Male 0.53, Female 0.66 SPR of all cancers Male 0.86, Female 0.97 SPR of brain cancers Male 1.36, Female 1.28
Distorted Truth, and Deceived Dignity KOSHA said “Risk of Leukemia was not statis-
tically significantly elevated in semiconductor workers”.
“Scientific study revealed that there is no rela-tionship between leukemia and Samsung semiconductor” (Apr.2010, Samsung)
Building Wide Network of Solidarity Victims & OHS NGOs, Labor unions, and pro-
gressive parties Professionals in Public health, OEM, and
Lawyers Voluntary activities in many local cities Progressive church people Artists Politicians International network
Historical Victory &Remained Problems
The 1st Legal Recognition of Occup. Dz in Semiconduc-tor
Jun 2007, Hwang Yumi, demand workers‘ compensation(KCOMWEL)
Apr 2008, +Five other leukemia workers May 2009, KCOMWEL's Decision not to compensate Jan 2010, Lawsuit Jun 2011, Court Decision
"Despite the fact that the case of deceased Hwang Yumi and Lee Suk Young didn't reveal a clear medical etiol-ogy on the onset of leukemia, the continual exposure to the chemical hazard is assumed to have brought the onset of the disease, or at least, promoted it…”
Historical Victory
Jul 2011, KCOMWEL appealed to the High Court against Two workers
18 out of 21 workers demanding compensa-tion were refused, 3 are waiting the decisions
“Reference of Defendant” = Samsung
The Right and Dignity of Occup. Victims?
Remained Problems
Renewal of OHS legislative system Burden of proof, Benefit of doubt Precautionary principle The right to know & Trade secret
Distorted Science No evidence of association ≠ evidence of No association
Internalization of cost & Corporate responsibility
Substantial solidarity in the Int’l network, mainly in Asia