In the Heatwave Causing Numerous Heat Illnesses, 'Air Conditioning Power Abuse'... "The Boss Won't Give Me the Air Conditioner Remote"

Jikjang Gapjil119 "Workplace Temperature Directly Linked to Workers' Lives"

"It has been 2 to 3 weeks since the air conditioner was last turned on. The representative posted in the group chat that the electricity bill is very high, so no one dares to bring it up."

The civic group Workplace Bullying 119 announced on the 20th that not only outdoor construction and logistics workers but also indoor workers are suffering from 'air conditioner bullying.' This involves monopolizing control of the air conditioner or excessively emphasizing the burden of electricity costs to restrict the use of cooling devices.

Despite the continuous heatwave causing heat-related illnesses among workers, they were unable to turn on the air conditioner and had to endure the heat indoors as well.

A whistleblower who is a private academy instructor confessed, "I was completely exhausted after teaching for 7 hours with the air conditioner broken in the hot weather."

There were cases where the indoor temperature exceeded 30 degrees Celsius, but the employer monopolized the remote control and did not turn on the air conditioner.

Photo by Yonhap News

Even when it rained and humidity was high, there were cases where the air conditioner was not turned on until indoor humidity exceeded 80%. The appropriate indoor humidity level is between 40 and 60%.

Workplace Bullying 119 claimed, "Some workplaces set the operation standards for cooling devices unreasonably high, infringing on workers' health rights."

The government recommends supporting the purchase cost of portable air conditioners for small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 50 employees in manufacturing and other sectors, or guidelines to allow 15 minutes of rest per hour when the temperature exceeds 35 degrees Celsius. However, Workplace Bullying 119 pointed out that many workplaces find these measures ineffective.

Workplace Bullying 119 stated, "Employers ignore non-binding guidelines, and workers are unaware that employers have the responsibility to maintain appropriate temperatures," adding, "The Ministry of Employment and Labor should establish a 'air conditioner bullying' reporting center and actively inform that workplace temperature is a critical right directly linked to workers' life safety, strengthening management and supervision."

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