Workers’ Lives Matter: Justice, Accountability and Safe Workplaces Now!

The Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational and Environmental Victims (ANROEV) stands in solidarity with Aricell workers and demands justice. We demand that S-Connect, the parent company of Aricell, and Samsung be held accountable for their actions and gross neglect of workers’ health and safety rights. 

In June 2024, a fire broke out at Aricell’s factory, a South Korean lithium battery manufacturer, killing 23 workers from Laos, China, and South Korea. The company’s desire to cut costs and boost profits led to serious neglect of workplace safety standards, resulting in this tragedy. S-Connect’s CEO, Park Soon Kwan, has been arrested—the first such case under the Serious Accident Punishment Act (SAPA) since its enforcement in January 2022.

While this arrest marks a breakthrough, it barely affects S-Connect financially, as Aricell accounted for only 1.6% of its revenue in the first half of the year. S-Connect generates 89.41% of its profits from Samsung, supplying components for Samsung Galaxy phones. Despite the tragedy, Samsung continues to support S-Connect and has not severed ties with the company responsible for the tragic incident that claimed workers’ lives.

We support labor rights activists and OSH victims’ organizations in their call for Samsung to end its business relationship with S-Connect, in accordance with its own Code of Conduct for Suppliers.

We also stand with them in demanding stronger prosecution of companies that grossly violate worker safety and disregard human life. Beyond detaining negligent executives, bold actions such as cutting off a company’s profits are necessary to help prevent workplace accidents. Unfortunately, this strict penalty was excluded from the final version of the Serious Accident Punishment Act (SAPA). Samsung must demonstrate its commitment to workers’ rights and human rights by terminating its partnership with S-Connect.

More than two months after the tragic incident, both Aricell and S-Connect have failed to accept responsibility or offer an apology to the victims’ families. Samsung, which significantly contributes to S-Connect’s revenue, has also remained silent.

ANROEV stands in solidarity with the victims and their families in their ongoing fight for justice. We urge Samsung to fully grasp the gravity of this situation and listen to the voices of the bereaved families. Samsung must end its partnership with S-Connect and take accountability for its role in the disaster. It should also provide appropriate support and compensation to the affected families within its supply chain.

Lastly, we demand that clear and proactive measures be implemented to prevent such tragedies from ever happening again. It is essential that strong systems are put in place to ensure accountability and decisive action when workers’ OSH rights are violated. We call on Samsung and all companies to uphold their responsibility to protect human lives and ensure safe, dignified working conditions for all. ###