[2021 National Audit] They Say the Serious Accident Punishment Act Will Be Enforced Next Year... This Year, Industrial Accident Deaths Remain Unchanged

Status Report on Ministry of Employment and Labor's National Audit by the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee on the 6th
648 Industrial Accident Deaths from January to September... Similar to 660 in the Same Period Last Year
This Year's Goal of 20% Reduction and Moon Administration's Target of Annual 500 Deaths Not Achieved

Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk (left) taking the oath as a witness at the National Assembly Environment and Labor Committee's audit of the Ministry of Employment and Labor held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 6th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Although the government announced that it will enforce the Serious Accident Punishment Act, which punishes the management responsible for workplaces where serious industrial accidents such as occupational fatalities occur, starting January next year, it has been revealed that occupational fatality accidents have not significantly improved this year either.

According to the major work progress data submitted by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee on the 6th, the number of occupational accident fatalities from the beginning of this year to the 24th of last month was counted at 648. This shows no significant improvement compared to 660 at the end of September last year.

The number of occupational accident fatalities recorded 855 in 2019, falling below 900 for the first time, but increased again to 882 last year. The target set by the Ministry of Employment and Labor for this year, a 20% reduction (705), as well as the Moon Jae-in administration's national goal of achieving 500 fatalities annually during its term, have become difficult to realize.

Source=Ministry of Employment and Labor

To reduce occupational fatal accidents, the Ministry of Employment and Labor plans to continue measures such as on-site inspections and supervision focused on safety rules, along with preparations for the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act. Regarding the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, it explained that investigative departments are being established in local employment and labor offices, and the investigative capabilities of supervisors are being strengthened.

On this day, Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk said in his opening remarks at the National Assembly audit, "Ahead of the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act in January next year, we will thoroughly prepare, operate on-site support teams, and make steady efforts to settle the law on-site through close guidance and management of hazardous work."

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