An increasing number of cases involving mental illnesses are being recognized as occupational accidents, up from 30.7 percent in 2015 to 73.5 percent in 2018. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Following the introduction of a new legislation that bans harassment in the workplace, one-fourth of all harassment victims were found to be suffering from mental illnesses.
Gapjil 119, a South Korean civil group advocating against harassment in the workplace, said that 98 out of 377 cases (25.9 percent) reported in the three months since the new legislation was introduced involved mental illnesses.
For instance, a worker at a financial institution claimed he had been subject to verbal assault and embarrassment since his first day of work, and was forced to deal with errands and other work not related to his job.
The worker suffered from severe stress, and was soon diagnosed with a gastric ulcer. The employer, however, failed to provide any form of assistance to the worker.
“Mental illness caused by harassment at work can be recognized as an occupational accident under the new legislation,” said Gapjil 119.
The Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service reported that an increasing number of cases involving mental illnesses are being recognized as occupational accidents, up from 30.7 percent in 2015 to 73.5 percent in 2018.
Gapjil 119 advised that harassment victims should inform their doctors of the details of the harassment at work in order or it to be recognized as an occupational accident.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
