This file photo, provided by the local government of the southeastern county of Wando on Nov. 7, 2020, shows a laver farm.
GWANGJU, May 23 (Korea Bizwire) — The case of a migrant worker who developed leukemia after spraying formalin at a fish farm has been recognized as an industrial disaster.
The Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service acknowledged the case of Khan Mubasherullah, a migrant worker from Pakistan, as an industrial disaster last month.
The Disease Approval Committee concluded that Mr. Mubasherullah had been employed at a fish farm where he was highly likely to have been exposed to formaldehyde.
They further stated that the disease was directly linked to his work.
Formaldehyde, the main component of formalin, a compound used by Mr. Mubasherullah in managing the fish farm, is a known carcinogen.
Having moved to South Korea 13 years ago, Mr. Mubasherullah worked at a formalin-utilizing fish farm for 16 months.
During his employment, he worked in an enclosed fish farm facility without proper ventilation, regularly applying formalin without any protective equipment.
Formalin is employed to eliminate parasites that attach themselves to fish, such as halibut and eels.
In January 2021, Mr. Mubasherullah was diagnosed with leukemia and subsequently filed an industrial disaster claim with the state organization, attributing his condition to formalin exposure.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
