In May, following a fatal workplace accident, SPC Group announced it would reduce night shifts from 12 hours to 8 hours. This decision came after President Lee Jae-myung visited a factory to address reports of a harsh working environment, to which the company initially provided an unclear response. The company’s revised measure was presented just two days after the visit.
SPC Group Faces Scrutiny Over Worker Safety Amidst Fatal Incidents
A series of workplace deaths has prompted calls for improved safety measures at the domestic baking industry leader.
- SPC Group, a major player in the domestic baking industry, has been under fire due to multiple fatal workplace accidents.
- President Lee Jae-myung visited a factory to address concerns about the working conditions after a recent death.
- In response, SPC announced a reduction in night shift hours from 12 to 8 hours, effective October 1.
- Union representatives acknowledge the reduction in hours but emphasize the importance of wage increases for workers.
- The government aims to reduce industrial accident mortality rates, referencing the nation’s standing in the OECD.
A Pattern of Tragedy
The issues at SPC Group came to a head in October 2022, when a worker in their 20s died in a mixer at a bakery factory. The incident was met with public anger and calls for boycotts, especially after the factory reportedly resumed operations the next day with minimal visible changes.
At the time, the company apologized six days after the accident, pledging to invest 100 billion won in safety management and overhaul its work systems. The chairman of SPC Group, speaking on October 21, 2022, stated, “I think it’s hard to do. I sincerely apologize to the staff who have had a hard time.”
However, the company’s promises appear to have gone unfulfilled. Just two days after the initial apology, another worker’s finger was severed in a separate factory incident. Ten months later, a female worker in her 50s became caught in a dough machine. In May, another employee, identified as Yang Mo, in his 50s, died after becoming caught in a conveyor belt. All three deaths occurred within the past three years.
Presidential Intervention and Company Response
What are the key issues surrounding SPC Group’s workplace safety? The repeated deaths have led President Lee Jae-myung to visit a factory to directly question the company about labor intensity. During his visit on the 25th, he remarked, “In my opinion, I wonder if it is possible for people to work for 12 hours from 7:00 to 7:00 am for 4 days a week.”
In the wake of the presidential visit and ongoing scrutiny, SPC Group announced its plan to eliminate overtime exceeding 8 hours. The company stated, “We will completely change the overall production structure, such as expanding manpower and reorganizing the line, and will implement it from October 1.”
Worker Concerns Remain
While the reduction in working hours is seen as a positive step, union leaders are looking for more comprehensive solutions. Lim Jong-ryong, a branch manager for the Paris Baguette labor union, commented, “I agree with the reduction of working hours, but the most important thing for those who work there is wage.” Discussions are ongoing with the union regarding the implementation of these changes and potential alternatives.
The President’s Office has indicated it will closely monitor the situation with the Minister of Employment and Labor, aiming to reduce the country’s industrial accident mortality rate relative to other OECD nations.
