Lee calls for improving work environment at industrial complexes

SEOUL, July 21 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak called for improving childcare and other services at industrial complexes Thursday as he visited a factory park to check on progress for a government project to upgrade outdated complexes. "Childcare facilities at industrial complexes should be expanded and they should be operated in a way" that meets the needs of factory workers, Lee said during a visit to the Banwol-Sihwa industrial complex just south of Seoul. "It would be worth considering leaving childcare facilities open around the clock." The visit was aimed at checking on the progress of what is known as the "QWL (quality of work life) valley" project aimed at significantly upgrading the work environment at dozens of run-down factory parks across South Korea to make them better, more attractive workplaces. The Banwol-Sihwa complex is one of the four factory parks subject to renovation under the first phase of the project. Lee also said that vocational high schools are currently more focused on sending students to colleges instead of their intended mission to produce workers. He added that the government should seek policies that make it easier for high school graduates to get jobs without going to college.