12.04.2023

Crane operators licences at risk

South Korea is investigating a large number of tower crane operators for illegally withholding their labour or working at a 'go-slow' pace.

The government believes that the operators and their union have deliberately slowed down or stopped work in order to extract additional monthly payments from contractors and their clients.

The Ministry of Employment and Labour launched an investigation into the claims, along with the police and local governments on March 15th and concluded it on April 6th, having checked 547 construction sites with cranes - more than 80 percent of the total sites. The investigations followed the opening of anonymous reporting centres and regional monitoring offices.

The action is part of the current administration’s campaign against, what it claims is illegal labour activity and site violence. President Yoon Suk Yeol said: “Workers are losing jobs, construction is defective, and the opening of elementary schools and new apartments have been delayed."

So far 54 crane operators have been found to have illegally suspended work, 21 of which are in danger of having their crane operator licenses suspended for at least three months. A further 33 operators are being processed.

If operators are found have to have clearly stopped work without good reason, the government plans to suspend their licences (based on the National Technical Qualification Act) for three months. If a second offence is committed, it can be extended to six months. In the instance of a third offence, the licence will be withdrawn for a year.

Won Hee-ryong, minister of land, infrastructure and transport said: “Due to the latest special inspection, the mood at the construction projects is becoming positive. We plan to quickly proceed with the penalty process to reduce the damages on businesses and hardworking workers caused by illegal activities.”