Hanjin shipyard becoming a workers graveyard

“The Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines Incorporated shipyard at Subic Bay Freeport is fast becoming a graveyard for workers. The murderous neglect of Hanjin management for workers safety is a point for concern and unless tougher measures will be imposed on Hanjin, this shipyard will continue to churn more accidents.”

This was made today by Noel Parato Colina, Executive Director of the Institute for Occupational Health and Safety Development (IOHSAD) as two more workers are added to growing list of casualties at the shipyard.

According to news report, the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Intelligence and Investigation Office announced that Oliver Labay, 32 years old died last Sunday, June 15 at around 2 a.m. when he was crushed by a cargo ship. Rafael Careg, another worker for Hanjin also died after his vehicle was hit by a crane boom truck.

“Government inspectors have declared last January, 2008 that Hanjin violated existing safety standards but despite this, Hanjin continues to operate and now have taken two more lives of workers. We need a tougher stance against the Hanjin management to force them to follow existing safety standards at workplaces,” said Colina.

Colina further said that his safety organization will ask labor committees of both Houses to conduct independent inquiries on Hanjin management safety practices.