[Korean-to-English translation provided by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"Korea Optical High Tech cuts off water to worker sit-in...Workers apply to Human Rights Commission for relief," 11 September 2023

[...] Workers protesting against the liquidation of foreign-invested company Korea Optical High Tech have applied for urgent relief to the National Human Rights Commission, claiming that the company's action of cutting off water to the protest site is a human rights violation.

[...] Thirteen workers at Korea Optical High Tech have been protesting at the factory since August, claiming that the company's unilateral liquidation of the company has put them at risk of losing their jobs. The company has tried to demolish the factory several times. On the 8th, the company cut off the water supply to the factory the workers are occupying, and on the same day, it tried to cut off the power too, which was stopped by the union's protest. The union is demanding that if the Gumi plant cannot be rebuilt, the workers should be transferred to another Nitto subsidiary in Pyeongtaek, Korea Nitto Optical. An administrative litigation is also underway to determine whether the workers were unfairly dismissed.

[...] "Six of the 13 union members protesting are women, and they prepare and cook their meals at the factory without access to running water or toilets," they said, adding, "The Daegu office of the Human Rights Commission witnessed the poor conditions during its on-site visit on the 9th. We want to believe that the Human Rights Commission will fulfill its role and make a decision for an emergency relief."