The 26-year-old employee had reportedly worked nearly 80 hours in a week. - LONDON.BAGEL.MUSEUM/INSTAGRAM via ST/ANN
SEOUL: South Korea’s Labour Ministry has launched an investigation into allegations that a 26-year-old employee at popular bakery chain London Bagel Museum died from overwork after reportedly working nearly 80 hours a week, according to local news reports on Oct 30.
The worker, identified as Chung Hyo-won, was responsible for preparing the opening of a new store in Incheon.
He was found dead at his company dormitory on July 16. Chung’s family claimed, based on KakaoTalk messenger records, that he had worked more than 80 hours a week leading up to his death.
Kim Soo-hyun, a labour attorney representing Chung’s family, said: “We requested the company’s time card records for Chung to apply for industrial accident compensation, but the firm only provided labour contracts and work schedules.
“So we had to analyse messages Chung shared with those around him one by one to estimate his actual working hours.”
A day before his death, Chung reportedly texted a friend, saying: “I’m still working without having eaten.”
Records show he arrived at work at 8.59am and left at 11.54pm that day.
The Ministry of Employment and Labour is investigating whether the company violated labour laws, including those concerning delayed wage payments and excessive working hours.
Labour Minister Kim Young-hoon ordered officials to thoroughly uncover the facts and respond with zero tolerance if any violations are confirmed. - The Korea Herald/ANN
