Samsung pays up for stricken fab workers

After a decade of struggle, Samsung workers whose health has been affected by working in fabs are to be compensated.

Samsung has set up an $85.8 million fund for employees who contracted diseases while working at its semiconductor and display plants. The fund will also be available to the families of deceased workers.

The workers have been represented by an activist group called Sharps. According to Sharps, some 200 Samsung operatives have been taken ill, of whom 70 have died.

Diseases attributed to working conditions at the plant are the cancers lymphoma and leukaemia. Radiation and chemicals used at the fabs are blamed for causing the conditions.

A year ago Samsung apologised to sick workers and their families.

The fund will also be used to find ways to improve working conditions in the fabs to try and prevent the diseases.