Assemblyman Seodongyong Proposes Amendment to Strengthen Safety in Vocational High School Field Training

Prohibition of Unfair Treatment and Establishment of Fine Imposition Clause

Legal Application to Workplaces with Fewer Than 5 Employees During On-the-Job Training

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Congressman Seo Dong-yong (National Assembly Education Committee, Democratic Party, Suncheon-Gwangyang-Gokseong-Gurye District) proposed partial amendments to the 「Vocational Education and Training Promotion Act」 and the 「Serious Accidents Punishment Act」 on the 22nd to strengthen the safety of on-site training at vocational high schools.

This is a follow-up measure to improve the system after the death of an on-site trainee who lost his life during diving work at a yacht company in Yeosu on October 6, 2021.

The amendment to the 「Vocational Education and Training Promotion Act」 newly prohibits acts such as ‘forcing vocational trainees to work against their free will by means of assault, threats, confinement, or other means that unjustly restrict mental or physical freedom’ and ‘using superiority in position or relationship to cause physical or mental suffering to other vocational trainees beyond the appropriate scope of work or to worsen the working environment.’ Violations of these provisions will be subject to a fine of up to 10 million won.

The amendment to the 「Serious Accidents Punishment Act」 explicitly includes on-site trainees within the scope of workers and ensures that workplaces with fewer than five employees where trainees are practicing are not exempt from the law’s application.

Congressman Seo Dong-yong stated, “We will further tighten laws and systems to prevent such accidents from recurring, and continuously manage and supervise follow-up measures by the responsible government agencies, including the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Employment and Labor.” He also added, “We will strengthen labor rights education and strive to create safe and quality high school graduate jobs at the government level.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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