The cold truth: Thai worker in South Korea loses fingers, still waiting for compensation
What started as a search for work turned into a nightmare for a man from Udon Thani who travelled to South Korea about five to six months ago to work at a chicken farm in Pocheon. While operating an egg-sorting machine, his middle and ring fingers were severed — a brutal workplace accident that left him injured, frightened and, crucially, without compensation.
The case was shared by Farida “Aum” Ma, a long-time volunteer who helps Thai migrants—especially those who are undocumented, commonly called Phee Noi or “little ghost”—navigate life abroad. Aum posted photos of the man’s injuries on Facebook on December 2 and described the grim situation: the man was forced to keep working despite unhealed wounds, and his employer repeatedly avoided paying any accident compensation.
“The weather is freezing, and he has to endure both pain and stress. His employer is heartless, forcing him to continue working even though his wounds haven’t healed.” — Farida “Aum” Ma
Aum told ThaiRath she often assists Thai workers who don’t know their rights or how to reach authorities. In this case, the man’s girlfriend contacted Aum after the employer allegedly pressured him into signing documents saying his medical treatment was complete. The employer promised compensation once paperwork was processed — but the money never arrived.
Why the system should have protected him
Under South Korean law, companies are required to insure their employees against workplace accidents. Aum emphasised that this protection applies to everyone working in the country, regardless of legal status. The migrant worker insurance functions similarly to Thailand’s Social Security Fund; it costs migrants only about 10,000 won per month (roughly 218 baht), yet it can mean the difference between receiving medical bills covered and being left destitute.
In this incident the man suspects his employer pocketed the insurance payout. Terrified of deportation and further retaliation, the injured worker left Pocheon once his immediate condition improved and did not pursue legal action. That fear is common among undocumented migrants, who often choose silence over a fight they believe could end in arrest, fines or expulsion.
What the volunteer network is doing
Aum and Thai assistance centres abroad continue to follow the case closely. They regularly help migrants with medical bills and paperwork because undocumented workers are not covered by South Korea’s national health system. These centres often act as an informal safety net, arranging aid, translation, and advice for workers who otherwise have nowhere to turn.
Still, volunteers are only part of the picture. Legally, the employer remains responsible for both medical costs and compensation following a workplace accident, regardless of the worker’s immigration status. When employers evade responsibility — whether by coercing signatures, delaying payments, or allegedly keeping payouts — they leave injured workers without the protections the law was intended to provide.
The human cost
Beyond legalities, this is a deeply human story: a man from Udon Thani, trying to make ends meet abroad, now coping with permanent physical loss and psychological trauma. The freezing weather, the pain of unhealed wounds, and the stress of worrying that the person who hired him might have taken his only route to recovery — it all paints a bleak portrait of what undocumented workers can face.
Aum’s photos and post have drawn attention, but the path to justice is complicated when fear of legal consequences keeps victims silent. For many migrants, the immediate priority is survival: leave the risky environment, get basic care, and avoid drawing attention — even if that means abandoning a claim for compensation that could cover medical treatment and lost income.
Small safety nets, big gaps
The insurance system itself is not the problem — it is meant to protect workers. The problem lies in enforcement and in unscrupulous employers who exploit an already vulnerable workforce. The 10,000 won monthly contribution seems small, yet it only works if companies actually register employees and process claims transparently.
As volunteers like Aum continue to bring these stories into the light, they also remind us that migrant workers — legal or not — are entitled to basic protections. Their pleas are a call to action for better enforcement, stronger support networks, and more accessible legal help so victims can pursue rightful compensation without risking their safety.
For now, the injured man waits and recovers where he can, watched over by volunteers who refuse to let his case be forgotten. The hope is that public attention will prompt authorities or the employer to act, and that other vulnerable workers will learn their rights before a preventable accident changes their lives forever.
I shared this case because we need visibility for these victims. The employer clearly pressured him to sign and then avoided paying compensation. We are trying to connect him with legal help but fear of deportation makes everything harder.
This is disgusting and sickening. How can companies get away with stealing insurance meant for the injured worker?
As a Korean living near Pocheon, I can say enforcement can be weak, especially for seasonal farms. Employers sometimes exploit language barriers and undocumented status to delay or deny claims.
Exactly, Somin, and volunteers like us try to fill the gaps but we are not a substitute for proper enforcement. The man cannot risk reporting without safe channels.
If the company insured him, some agency needs to freeze the claim and audit. This smells like fraud, plain and simple.
This is the result of lax oversight and profit-first farming practices. Workers pay pennies compared to the value they create, and then they are discarded when hurt.
I work in labor policy and I agree oversight has gaps. But practical solutions require bilateral cooperation between sending countries and South Korea to ensure migrants are registered and protected.
Bilateral agreements help, but without local enforcement and whistleblower protections, promises remain words on paper.
Good point, Evelyn. Whistleblower protection for undocumented migrants would be revolutionary but it’s politically sensitive.
Why not anonymous hotlines and shelters? They could file claims without fear of deportation if handled by NGOs.
I feel sick reading this. No one should be forced to keep working with open wounds, and being undocumented shouldn’t strip you of basic rights.
You’re right, Anya, but there are always two sides: some employers exploit, some struggle to manage small farms with little profit. Not excusing abuse though.
Samar, the economic pressures on small farms are real, but that doesn’t justify criminal behavior like withholding compensation. People come first.
This man lost fingers sorting eggs — that’s catastrophic for his future. The system needs to compensate beyond immediate medical bills.
From an occupational health perspective, this case highlights systemic failures: inadequate machine guarding, insufficient training, and failure of post-accident procedures. It is a textbook example of what OSHA-type standards aim to prevent.
Agreed, Dr. Carter. But how feasible is applying OSHA-style enforcement to every small rural workplace in a country with many migrant workers?
It requires targeted inspections, community reporting mechanisms, and collaboration with migrant support networks. It is doable if political will exists.
You make it sound practical, but political will often falls short when industries lobby hard against stricter rules.
Why are we surprised? This is the migrant worker story everywhere: low pay, high risk, and no safety net. Governments must enforce registration and penalties for employers who evade insurance.
As someone who has worked in factories abroad, I can say fear is real. You sign things you don’t understand and then regret it later.
Jae, that fear is the leverage employers use. Legal clinics and consulates need to proactively reach out, not wait for complaints.
This story makes my blood boil. Migrant workers are vital to many sectors and yet are treated like disposable labor when accidents happen.
I volunteer at a migrant help centre and we see similar cases regularly. The paperwork is confusing, and unscrupulous employers exploit that to delay payouts or claim workers weren’t injured on the job.
Young, thank you for that frontline insight. Volunteers are heroic, but they shouldn’t be the only recourse.
Maybe social media pressure can force action. Posting photos made people notice this case quickly.
I support stricter penalties for employers who coerce signatures or pocket insurance money. That should be criminal, not a civil dispute.
Criminalizing employers is a good idea in theory, but enforcement will need police trained to handle migrant cases sensitively. Too often, the victim gets punished by association.
Arun, I agree enforcement must protect victims from retaliation. Perhaps conditional immunity for undocumented workers who report could help.
As a former migrant worker, I can say immunity would save lives. People stay silent because they think telling will end badly for them.
This is heartbreaking. I hope the volunteer network can secure compensation or at least long-term support for him.