‘Korea’s First’ POSCO Subsidiary-Type Disabled Workplace ‘Gwangyang Cleaning Center’ Renovated

Creating Jobs for Disabled Workers in 2008, Expanding Employment to Establish Social and Economic Independence

Full Effort to Create a More Comfortable and Safe Working Environment for Disabled Employees

[Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik] POSCO subsidiary-type standard workplace for the disabled, POSCO Humans (President Kim Heedae), held a ceremony on the 25th to commemorate the operation of the renovated Cleaning Center within the Gwangyang Steelworks.

The Gwangyang Cleaning Center is a specialized workplace that launders and delivers uniforms for POSCO employees. Since its initial operation in April 2008, it has been strengthening the social and economic independence of disabled workers by creating jobs and expanding employment opportunities for them.

As the number of employees at POSCO Humans’ Gwangyang Cleaning Center increased from 31 at its inception to 96, it was decided to expand from the previous 600-pyeong (approx. 1,983 m²) single-floor facility to a two-story building of 1,234 pyeong (approx. 4,078 m²), completing the renovation after 14 years.

The newly renovated Gwangyang Cleaning Center separates the laundry factory and office convenience building, and expands the employee lounge and shower rooms, allowing employees to work in a more comfortable environment.

In particular, the number of disabled workers has dramatically increased about sixfold from 11 to 65, highlighting various efforts to provide them with a more comfortable working environment.

First, overall laundry process layout improvements and the introduction of an automated laundry machine called the ‘continuous washer’ have enhanced work efficiency. Additionally, convenience facilities tailored to the characteristics of a disabled workplace, such as rehabilitation and health counseling rooms, have been expanded to improve job satisfaction.

Furthermore, great care was taken to create a safe working environment. Major sections had thresholds removed and braille signboards installed to create free-pass pathways facilitating smooth movement for disabled workers. Safety management systems were strengthened by increasing CCTV coverage to eliminate blind spots and installing help bells, enabling more immediate responses to emergencies.

Going forward, POSCO Humans plans to actively discover new projects that disabled workers can participate in, contributing to job creation for the disabled based on a more pleasant working environment.

The operation commemoration ceremony was attended by Lee Jinsu, Head of Gwangyang Steelworks; Lee Cheolho, Deputy Head of Gwangyang Steelworks; Kim Heedae, President of POSCO Humans; Kim Kyungho, Deputy Mayor of Gwangyang City; Jin Suhwa, Chairperson of Gwangyang City Council; and Jeong Heonju, Director of Jungma Disabled Welfare Center.

At the ceremony, Lee Jinsu, Head of Gwangyang Steelworks, said, “I hope the creation of a safe and pleasant working environment at the Gwangyang Cleaning Center will become a rewarding workplace where everyone can be happy.”

Kim Heedae, President of POSCO Humans, stated, “Under the corporate citizenship management philosophy, we will create social value through continuous employment of disabled persons, and above all, do our best to ensure that disabled workers can work happily in a safe and healthy workplace.”

Meanwhile, POSCO Humans is a subsidiary-type standard workplace for the disabled established by POSCO in 2007 as the first of its kind in Korea to provide quality jobs for disabled persons. It operates workplaces in four locations: Gwangyang, Pohang, Seoul, and Incheon, with 314 disabled workers currently employed, accounting for 48.8% of the total workforce.

Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seonsik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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