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Canon Korea crew’s can-do spirit

Published: 18 Dec. 2009, 20:15

The 16 members of the “I Can” assembly line have achieved a productivity rate of over 80 percent since they joined Canon Korea as part of a special employment program for people with disabilities over two months ago. By Kang Jung-hyun

It is an ordinary day at the Canon Korea Business Solution factory in Ansan, Gyeonggi. Some 400 employees are busily putting together all-in-one printers in 20 assembly lines. Suddenly, a loud bell rings from one of the lines. On the ceiling is a sign that says “I Can,” indicating the name of that particular line. Along with the bell, a red light flashes as the number “112” appears on the billboard below.

At this mysterious signal, Shin Seung-jun, 29, springs into action from the other side of the factory.

“The number 112 means that there is a lack of the secondary parts used in the first step of the first assembly line,” Shin explains as he runs towards the “I Can” line.

There is a reason for the necessity of such a blatant signal. Out of hundreds of factory workers, the 16 who form this particular line are disabled, 13 in hearing and three physically.

With surprisingly nimble hand movements, Shin begins to converse with Kim Min-a, 19, who rang the bell. “During the past two months of working together, I’ve learned enough sign language to communicate with them,” said Shin.

On the ceiling above the “I Can” line, there is also a 32-inch screen. The message reads “Interview with JoongAng Ilbo soon.” Anyone who wishes to put a notice on the screen can do so using a keyboard. Kang Jung-ho, the factory’s operations manager, said that the screen was installed to facilitate communications between disabled employees and others at the factory.

The 16 disabled workers joined Canon Korea on Oct. 6.

“I didn’t think employing just a few disabled workers to fill the government-regulated quota would maximize our company’s productivity,” said the company’s director Kim Young-soon. “Instead, I thought that forming a new assembly line entirely run by workers with disabilities would minimize difficulties rising from communication problems.”

She was correct. After putting an employment notice through the Korea Employment Promotion Agency for the Disabled, the company received 90 applications. Following three weeks of compatibility training and three weeks of on-site factory training, the company selected 16 applicants, who Kim praised as “the talented ones.”

The results were outstanding. According to the on-site manager, Lee In-se, the “I Can” line achieved a productivity rate of over 80 percent. Their disabilities do not put their performance behind other fully able workers. Collectively, they have a perfect attendance record as well.

Kim Mi-na, who joined Canon Korea just before graduating from high school, was chosen as the most productive new employee. When asked whether there were any problems with the work, she expressed a wish to repeat the instruction she received on the entire production process, “to eventually become a master.”

Sitting next to her was Kim Ji-sook, 25, who has two and half years of work experience in factories. “Before, there were only three other disabled employees so I was very lonely,” she said, smiling brightly at her fellow worker’s comment. “Now, I feel like I’m being compensated for the abusive treatment and workplace prejudice I used to receive at other factories.”

Stating that the ultimate goal is a “system in which disabled workers educate other disabled workers,” Kim, the company director, said that the company plans to create another “I Can” assembly line once a “master” arises among the current 16 employees.

By Hong Hye-jin [[email protected]]