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By Lee Min-jun, Staff Reporter of Asian Workers News

Protest action has been taken to obtain recognition of the death of Chinese worker, Singjun from industrial illness.
After Singjun died from cruel exploitation at his workplace, a sit-down protest, which began on May 16, to get recognition of his death being an industrial accident and is presently underway at the backside lane of Dongbu Fire Station, located at the East Daegu Station crossroads.
Singjun began his wash and carriage work with the company in Kyeongsan, in May 1999. Soon after, he got sick with acute pneumonia, but it was impossible for him to be hospitalized because he couldn't afford to take time off work. Finally, he retired from the company in December 2001 and struggled with his illness by taking medicine because he still couldn't afford the hospital expenses. His condition caused him to become bedridden and he was finally hospitalized at Kyeongsan Hospital on February 7 this year when the pain became unbearable. Unfortunately, he passed away on February 16.
Singjun's death was not caused from pneumonia alone. He also suffered from chronic tiredness caused by overwork, acute intestinal obstruction, imbalance of electrolytes and displaced disks in his back, to name a few.
The company is denying Singjun's death was caused by industrial illness and insists that it had nothing to do with his work there. Because of this situation, Singjun's funeral has been delayed without the expenses.
Some employers, who regard labourers as their capital and production tools, are always thinking of methods to take advantage of them. Labourers, especially migrant labourers who have few people around them to act as advocates, become worn out as time goes by. There are medicines available to cure some labourers illnesses caused by labour abuse, but it's difficult to get them, and after suffering from severe pain, many workers shut their eyes to lie down and die because don't have money for medical treatment.

The protest action is planned to continue until a declaration is made that Singjun's death was caused by industrial illness. Showing your concern and solidarity will encourage those taking this action.
If you want to make contact, pleases call Daegu Migrant Pastoral Centre: 053-626-7922.