[SEOUL=HEALTH/MEDICAL NEWS] Public attention is being centered as to whether Big Pharma's outsourcing issue is to come under parliamentary inspection.
Outsourcing is the contracting out of a business process, which an organization may have previously performed internally or has a new need for, to an independent organization from which the process is purchased back as a service.
However, since pharmaceutical firms' sales department performs core function in their business, the issue over illegal subcontracting practice of sales personnel is making profound ripples.
The multinational pharmaceutical company that initiated the heated controversy over illegal subcontracting practice is BMS Korea. The firm BMS Korea last October employed 32 salespersons, contracting with Inventive Health Korea for CSO, which stands for Common Service Operation.
BMS Korea labor union is denouncing the firm, saying the firm has an ulterior motive for replacing regular workers with non-regular workers.
The labor union has charged the company with illegal operation of salespersons to the Ministry of Employment and Labor.
In connection with this move, Chemical Worker's Union is considering publicizing the issue in upcoming parliamentary inspection.
An official from Chemical Worker's Union is quoted as saying, "We are planning to raise the issues over immorality of overseas capital and social responsibility." He also said, "The union is considering the ways to bring the issue to parliamentary Environment and Labor Committee."
Chemical Worker's Union is urging Federation of Korean Trade Unions to take actions to uproot illegal outsourcing practices.
An official from a pharmaceutical company is quoted as saying, "I don't quite understand the multinational company's behavior of subcontracting salespersons when drug sales business is vital to pharmaceutical companies."
He also said, "The trend of subcontracting is expanding by multinational pharmaceutical firms is causing grave concern to domestic salespersons' circle.
It doesn't look like an easy task for the unions to publicize the issue in the parliament since Labor Ministry's investigation into the issue is not over yet. The ministry was expected to announce the outcome of the investigation within August.
An official from Labor Ministry is quoted as saying, "The date of announcement is yet to be fixed since overall investigation is still under progress."
-대한민국 의학전문지 헬스코리아뉴스-
