Gov’t ramps up crackdown on ‘salt farm slavery’

The government is ramping up a crackdown on labor exploitation in salt farms in an effort to close loopholes that have allowed “salt farm slavery” to persist and become an international human rights and trade issue. Under a plan jointly announced Thursday by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, government workers will cooperate with police to create a standing, field-centered response system targeting abusive practices in salt farms. The move follows the latest such case in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla Province, in which a salt farm owner was arrested for allegedly exploiting three workers, at least one of whom has a serious intellectual disability. The case has reignited worries over rights violations in remote coastal workplaces. On June 25, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said it formally designated the three workers as victims of human trafficking. As recognized victims, they can receive up to six months of living expenses support of 783,000 won ($505) per month each, along with access to medical, legal and other assistance. Offici