Pregnant woman forced to pack parcels in minus 10 degree heat at supermarket, leads to premature birth (South Korea)

A pregnant woman working at Lotte Mart was diagnosed with a risk of miscarriage and requested to be transferred to a different position, but was refused, and ended up giving birth prematurely.
The woman, who was wrapping parcels at the store for four hours a day, gave birth prematurely and the child even underwent heart surgery.
Ms. A, who was in charge of the part-time job, found out she was pregnant in October last year and told the company. However, the part-time manager said, "Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you'll get any special treatment," and asked her to continue carrying and displaying heavy products.
A was diagnosed with a possible miscarriage about one month later. After taking four weeks of leave, A asked her manager to change her work to something less physically demanding.
However, the manager refused Ms. A's request, saying, "Just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you won't work. If you have any difficulties, ask another employee to help you."
According to Article 74, Clause 5 of the Labor Standards Act, employers must switch pregnant female workers to simpler types of work if they so request. Violators of this rule are subject to a 2-year suspension of employment.
The company was sentenced to 10 years in prison or a fine of up to 20 million won (approximately 2.14 million yen). The company continued to transport heavy goods after that. In particular, during the Lunar New Year season, when temperatures dropped to below minus 10 degrees,
I had to wrap parcels for four hours a day at the inspection area. Also, when the store was being renovated, I was given a schedule to arrive to work seven days in a row, and I protested to the manager.
In the end, Ms. A was seven months pregnant and her water broke after work in April this year, giving birth to a premature baby weighing 1.1 kilograms. The baby was unable to breathe normally and required an airway catheter.
A underwent heart surgery while intubated. A filed a claim for work-related injury. The Korea Workers' Welfare and Compensation Service said that the premature birth may have been caused by stress resulting from A's request for work changes not being implemented.
The company approved this. Ms. A requested the head office to audit the manager and part-time supervisor and reported them to the Labor Bureau.
A Lotte Mart representative told SBS, "This incident goes against company policy and we are taking strict measures.
An audit is currently underway," the company said, adding, "We will take measures to ensure that Mr. A does not suffer any disadvantage after returning to work."