1 year after Guui Station accident, not much changed
Criticism lingers over the harsh working conditions of subway maintenance workers, although a year has passed since a temporary worker died in Seoul after an incoming train hit him on May 28 last year.
The worker surnamed Kim, 19 at that time, was repairing a platform safety door at Guui Station on Line 2.
Guidelines state at least two workers are required to do on-site work so they can look out for trains, but Kim was alone.
Kim — for whom having a meal on time was a luxury — was always in a hurry.
This was because had he failed to arrive at a station more than one hour after a suspected malfunctioning subway door was reported, the chance of his one-year contract being renewed would have been remote.
His monthly wage was 1.44 million won ($1,286).
After a year, the team-of-two rule is being strictly followed and many temporary workers are guaranteed to work until the state-set retirement age of 62.
However, they are still being overworked and underpaid, with fewer employee perks.
Regular workers are guaranteed a rest after a nine-hour shift, but irregular workers often have to work 15-hour shifts, which entails frequent night duties.
While the subway operator is allowed to hire 206 irregular workers, the number of workers rarely exceeds 190, as many quit because of the excessive workload.
The monthly pay of regular workers increases in proportion to their length of employment, but that of irregular workers remains stagnant.
In 20 years, the annual salary gap between the two has grown to 24 million won.
Such discrimination based only on the type of employment is the most demoralizing factor in employee morale, says a union official of Seoul Metro, which operates lines 1 to 4.
“We should put an end to a culture that prioritizes profit over the safety of human beings,” he said. “We should reflect which values are really important.”
His remarks are in line with public sentiment, which considers it ironic that workers responsible for public safety are in the most precarious position.
The prosecution has indicted nine officials at Seoul Metro and Kim’s employer, subcontractor Eunseong PSD. The two companies have also been indicted.
The Seoul Eastern Prosecutors’ Office said the nine are charged with professional negligence resulting in death for failing to follow safety guidelines and sending officials for regular on-site safety inspections.