Foreign Worker Assaulted at Incheon Textile Factory... Ministry of Justice "Considering Administrative Measures"

Recently, the Ministry of Justice conducted an on-site inspection of a textile manufacturing company in Seo-gu, Incheon, following a case of assault against a foreign worker at the facility.

According to Yonhap News on April 26, the Immigrant Rights Protection Task Force, under the Immigration Policy Headquarters of the Ministry of Justice, immediately visited the site together with the Incheon Immigration Office after reports of the assault incident emerged. They conducted an on-site investigation and interviewed the victim. The Immigration Policy Headquarters plans to review possible administrative measures, such as restricting the employment and invitation of foreign workers, depending on the severity of the employer's legal violations.

Sung-ho Jeong, Minister of Justice. Photo by Yonhap News

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On the morning of April 24, the Incheon Seobu Police Station received a report that a Korean management employee, referred to as Mr. A, assaulted a Bangladeshi national worker, referred to as Mr. B, at a textile manufacturing company in Gajwa-dong. It was reported that Mr. A shouted at Mr. B, asking "What did you do yesterday?" while assaulting and threatening him, including grabbing his hair. The police plan to summon both Mr. B and Mr. A in turn to investigate the specific circumstances of the incident.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor also began a special inspection of the company on April 25. The Incheon Northern Branch of the Central Regional Employment and Labor Office, which has jurisdiction over the area, formed a dedicated team to investigate the facts and implement protection measures for the victim. The team will examine not only assault and workplace harassment against foreign workers, but also potential violations of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, such as failure to implement occupational safety and health measures.

The Ministry of Justice plans to discuss ways to support the victim through the Council for the Protection and Promotion of the Human Rights of Foreigners, a joint public-private consultative body. The Ministry's Human Rights Bureau will also provide the victim with integrated counseling through the 'Crime Victim One-Stop Solution Center,' psychological therapy support via the Smile Center, as well as financial and legal assistance, including living expenses.

Jeong Seongho, Minister of Justice, emphasized, "Even foreign workers have the right to be equally protected under the legal order of the Republic of Korea. We will provide all possible support to the victim and further strengthen the prevention and response system so that foreign workers can work with dignity and without human rights violations in our country."

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