A Korean man who tied a Sri Lankan migrant worker to a forklift at a brick factory in Naju, South Jeolla Province, told police he did so because the worker “let out a giggle,” according to a human rights group on Monday.
A migrant worker’s human rights network based in South Jeolla Province said the Korean suspect told investigators, “I told him to teach his colleague well, but he let out a giggle, so I did that.”
The victim, however, said he neither laughed nor understood what the supervisor was saying at the time. “I didn’t know what I did wrong. I was very scared (when I was tied to the forklift),” he was quoted as saying by the group.
The migrant worker, who has been employed at the factory since arriving in Korea under the work permit system last December, initially hesitated to report the abuse out of fear he wouldn't be able to find another job. He is currently staying at a religious facility with support from civic groups.