The government, local authorities, and police are establishing a permanent cooperation system to protect the labor rights of salt farm workers. This initiative follows incidents of worker confinement, assault, and wage theft that occurred in June at a salt farm in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province.
On July 30, the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the National Police Agency, and the Gwangju-Jeonnam Integrated Special City signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding for the Protection of Salt Farm Workers' Labor Rights' at the Gwangju Government Complex.
This agreement is a response to the violent and forced labor incidents reported last month at a salt farm in Yeonggwang. In the wake of these events, the government and relevant agencies established a joint response system. They have now committed to a permanent cooperation framework to eradicate violations of labor rights among salt farm workers.
The agencies will focus on the motto 'Find, Restore, and Change' as they implement the agreement. They will conduct joint inspections to identify businesses violating labor laws and respond strictly. A collaborative investigation into the employment conditions of salt farm workers will be carried out, and businesses suspected of labor rights violations, including forced labor, will face labor inspections, permit cancellations, and recovery of subsidies in accordance with relevant laws.
If signs of human trafficking are detected, support for living expenses, medical costs, and legal assistance will be coordinated with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.
Support for the recovery of affected workers will also be strengthened. Due to the isolated working environment of salt farms, workers often reside on-site. Therefore, the relevant agencies plan to provide temporary housing for affected workers and facilitate connections to social protection facilities and psychological support to expedite their recovery.
Efforts will also be made to raise awareness among employers regarding labor rights and improve working conditions. Training on labor law compliance will be provided to employers to enhance their understanding of labor rights protection, and financial support measures will be explored to improve the poor working conditions in salt farms.
This agreement signifies a commitment to managing the issue of human rights violations in salt farms through a permanent cooperation system rather than treating it as a one-time crackdown. Salt farms are often geographically isolated, making external monitoring and reporting difficult. It is essential for the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, the police, and local governments to share responsibilities in inspections, investigations, permit and subsidy management, and victim protection to achieve meaningful change.
Kim Young-hoon, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated, 'Today's agreement is a promise of action to jointly identify labor rights violations, swiftly restore victims, and properly change the situation on the ground. We will work with relevant agencies to ensure that cases of salt farm slavery, a pre-modern issue, do not occur again and that workplaces respect labor rights.'
Hwang Jong-woo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, also remarked, 'As the ministry responsible for the solar salt industry, we will responsibly promote institutional improvements and the normalization of the industry. We will strengthen inspections and human rights education to protect the labor rights of salt farm workers and take strict action in accordance with relevant laws when human rights violations are confirmed.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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