South Koreans head home after work at a little past 6 p.m. on July 31, 2018, in Jung District, central Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 16 (Korea Bizwire) — Sickness and death caused by workplace harassment will become eligible for compensation under the Accident Compensation Act for Public Servants.
The Ministry of Personnel Management announced that the revision of the Accident Compensation Act for Public Servants passed the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, setting a legal foundation for compensation for public servants who suffer from illnesses due to workplace harassment.
Thus far, the government has provided compensation for illness, disability and death caused by workplace harassment on the basis of the ministry’s administrative rule on occupational diseases for public servants.
The revision, however, will clear the way for such compensation to be offered on the basis of the Accident Compensation Act for Public Servants.
The ministry stressed that the revision is aimed at strengthening the national responsibility and ensuring stronger protection for public servants who suffer from workplace harassment that can cause mental shock.
Gabjil 119, an advocacy group for workplace bullying victims, analyzed the number of deaths caused by workplace harassment in 2021. The analysis showed that nine out of 18 workers who died following workplace harassment last year were affiliated with public institutions.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
