Mexico shuts South Korean firm after workplace violence

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IANS/EFE | 05 Nov, 2013
A South Korean firm in the central Mexican state of Queretaro was shuttered two weeks after a Mexican worker was attacked there by his South Korean supervisor, officials said.

The labour secretary of Queretaro state, Tonatiuh Salinas, told Radio Formula that the Sam Won Mexico firm - a supplier to electronics giant Samsung - was closed Friday, citing its failure to guarantee adequate working conditions.

He said the plant was inspected Oct 29 and several irregularities were detected.

In an Oct 17 incident captured on video, supervisor Kim Jaeoak shook 23-year-old Jorge Alberto Zamora and struck him with martial-arts kicks to the face and chest. The worker was fired several days later.

The video was posted on the Internet and aroused indignation in Queretaro and around the country.

Zamora filed an assault charge against Kim.

While acknowledging the need to "favour and promote foreign investment in our country", Economy Secretary Bruno Ferrari said Thursday that Mexican authorities will not tolerate "attitudes that infringe on the dignity and safety of workers".

The incident was also criticized by the Queretaro government, the South Korean Embassy in Mexico City and Samsung Electronics Mexico.

Sam Won and Samsung Electronics Mexico also offered a public apology to the affected worker and his family.

Kim failed to make a court appearance Friday, Salinas said, adding that he may be brought before the judge by police.

A total of 38 South Korean firms operate in Queretaro, employing some 12,000 people.