Report Workplaces with High Risk of COVID-19 Cluster Infections for Immediate Inspection

Seoul City Intensively Manages 'Infection Risk Suspected Workplaces' ... Received via 120 Dasan Call Center

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] The Seoul Metropolitan Government is intensifying management of so-called 'close contact workplaces' that have similar working environments to the Guro-gu call center, where a cluster outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) recently occurred.

On the 17th, Seoul announced that it is receiving citizen reports (complaints) not only for call centers but also for 'suspected infection risk workplaces' such as polling and debt collection agencies, clothing and jewelry manufacturers working long hours in narrow spaces without partitions, and industries like department stores, marts, and cleaning workers where many workers rest simultaneously in the same space.

If a workplace suspected of a cluster infection risk is found, any citizen, including workers at the workplace, can report it to the 120 Dasan Call Center or the Seoul online civil complaint window Eungdapso (http://eungdapso.seoul.go.kr).

The city immediately conducts inspections on reported workplaces, and for high-risk workplaces, forms an inspection team composed of public officials and 'Citizen Honorary Labor Ombudsmen' consisting of certified labor attorneys to conduct on-site inspections promptly.

The inspection focuses on factors that could cause cluster infections, such as worker density in the workplace, facility and quarantine conditions, rest space per worker, and the number of workers using the space simultaneously.

For workplaces judged to have a high risk of infection based on inspection results, the city provides workplace environment improvement consulting according to the 'Workplace Response Guidelines for COVID-19 Prevention and Spread Control.' It establishes management systems to monitor COVID-related worker trends within the workplace, forms cooperation systems with related organizations, and emphasizes maintaining cleanliness in the workplace and strengthening hygiene management for workers and visitors.

Additionally, the city guides employers on employment retention subsidies, flexible work system subsidies, family care leave benefits, and, if necessary, assists with procedures to encourage employers to actively create workplaces where workers can work safely.

The city also encourages participation in the 'Pause Campaign' it is promoting and thoroughly informs about support policies from the city and government.

Seo Seong-man, Director of Labor and Livelihood Policy at Seoul City, said, "We will strive for proactive response and prevention through active citizen reporting and complaints about workplaces suspected of cluster infection risk. Furthermore, we will intensively conduct consulting to improve labor environments to prevent further spread of COVID-19 and carefully protect workers' rights and interests."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.