Businessweek report highlights health concerns at Samsung semiconductor plants

[Jack Holt]

With the Samsung Galaxy S 5 launching in 125 different countries today Businessweek has released a report regarding the poor health conditions that workers at Samsung semiconductor plants are facing. The report tells a story of a girl named Hwang Yu-mi and her coworker Le Suk-yeong. Both ladies worked next to each other, day after day, on the same assembly line. Both developed the same aggressive form of Leukemia. Their deaths have been covered in-depth by Korean media and have also been picked up by western media. Businessweek’s takes it further by shedding light on Samsung and its quest to dominate the global markets.​

A “thinly veiled” movie about Hwang and the Korean tech giant — the company was named “Jinsung” in the movie for legal reasons — was released. Samsung made headlines a second time for being accused of strong arming news publications to not cover the film. Given that Samsung has a revenue that equals 16 percent of Korea’s GDP, the company has a large amount of pull in the country.​

Hwang’s father is highlighted in the report as well for the movement he started. That movement is an attempt at drawing attention to the controversy that these health issues have raised. The documentary that was released, “Empire of Shame,” showcases 56 more cases of Leukemia or other blood-born cancers that have been discovered in workers of Samsung plants. Activists blame the use of carcinogenic materials in these factories and want Samsung to take responsibility for what has happened.​

Even if Samsung is attempting to “strong arm” media organizations and their coverage of these health issues, the story is picking up steam. As the company continues to grow in size — and continues to dominate the market — the company will continue to face even more scrutiny. The question is, does Samsung take responsibility for these arisen health issues or chalk it up to just being a part of doing business?​

source: Bloomberg Businessweek​

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