About a week after a food factory worker was injured in the workplace, Korean media reports that a 23-year-old worker died in a tragic accident.
According to Korea Times, the woman died on Saturday 15 October when she was trapped in a sauce mixer machine at the factory, which produces pastries. The victim’s body was not discovered until the next day.
After the victim’s body was removed from the machine, an online news site reported that employees were told to return to work.
Just prior to the incident, it was reported that an employee’s hand was caught in a machine, but was not sent to the hospital as the employee was not a full-time worker.
Korea Times stated that SPCA Chairman Hur Young-in bowed his head in apology on Friday, October 21, during a press conference at the company’s Seoul headquarters.
SPC headquarters in Seoul/Naver Maps
“I take deep responsibility for this accident and humbly accept the severe rebuke and criticism from the public,” Hur said, adding that the company should have been more considerate of the employees and that they are cooperating with the authorities in the investigation.
SPCA president Hwang Jae-bok pledged to invest US$69.6 million in the next three years to improve workplace safety.
The incident sparked outrage and calls from protesters to boycott SPC Group, a South Korean food manufacturing company, which operates franchises for Paris Baguette, Paris Croissant, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jamba Juice and Shake Shack.
On social media, people share images with all the brands managed by SPC.
“I decided to boycott because I was shocked by the company’s decision to keep the factory running just after a worker lost her life during her shift,” said Yang Tae-hyeon (30), an office worker. , said. https://t.co/ vRxQPl5Y8B
— Hankyoreh English (@TheHankyoreh) October 19, 2022
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) tweeted“Is it enough to kill a worker and apologize?”
A writer for The Korea Herald tweeted that relatives of the victim claim that the company sent a box of bread from Paris Baguette as a gift during the funeral.
A young worker died in a sauce mixing machine at a factory where safety flaws were found. This prompted a boycott against brands such as Paris Baguette (owned by SPC).
Her family member says the company sent Paris Baguette bread as a gift for her funeral. https://t.co/5rCFbSwjCR
— Hyunsu Yim (@hyunsuinseoul) October 20, 2022
“Oh! How tone deaf and insensitive can this corporation be? Terrible!” wrote one Twitter user.
One more wrote, “I don’t even know what to say. Do rich people have no empathy?”
