Samsung to compensate fab employees and affected families

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Following the death of Hwang Yumi – a 23-year-old fab employee of Samsung – the electronics company has announced a major pay-out deal, which will see those affected by disease and death caused by chemicals from its fabs to receive up to 150 million won (£102,907).

This settlement comes after a gruelling ten-year campaign led by Hwang Yumi’s father: Supporters for the Health and Rights of People in the Semiconductor Industry (Sharps).

According to a BBC report, Sharps alleged there was a link between the working conditions and diseases, which included brain tumours and multiple sclerosis.

As of June this year, Sharps says it has identified 319 other victims, 117 of whom have died.

In July, the technology company said it would abide by terms that were subsequently drawn up by a third-party mediator. Responding, Sang-ki said: “It is truly deplorable that the issues of workers having fallen ill and died from on-the-job chemical exposure remained unsolved for more than 10 long years.”

"Samsung Electronics stands by the promise to unconditionally accept the suggested solutions and will work quickly on detailed plans for execution,” the company says.