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S. Korea: Death of Nepali worker by suicide following "sustained abuse" at pig farm that resembled "a prison" sparks outcry & calls for reform
Serhii Yevdokymov, Canva Pro
In February 2025, it was reported that a 28-year-old Nepali worker died by suicide after experiencing human rights violations on a pig farm in Yeongam County.
“[Tulsi] lost 7-8 kilograms in just three months. Other farms have 35 people to handle 80 sows, but here, 14 people have to do everything. The boss seems to have thought he could squeeze the extra work out of us. Cleaning the excrement typically takes five hours at other farms, but we were only given one hour to do it. We had to always be dashing around. If we walked, the crew leader would report us to the boss, and we’d get in trouble.”Coworker at the pig farm
His colleagues allege constant bullying by his employer and crew leader. One colleague allegedly changed jobs after being assaulted by the employer; despite filing a complaint at an employment centre, “nothing was done” to remedy the situation.
In March, it was reported that the Ministry of Employment and Labor had “raided” the farm, alleging assault, wage theft and other abuses. Later reporting says the case has “sparked outcry…and calls for reform”.