Following is the fourth in a series of stories about companies’ social contribution activities. ― Ed.


POSCO Engineering & Construction, a leading Korean builder, is stepping up efforts in social contribution activities by encouraging employees to participate in volunteer programs both in Korea and abroad.

The construction unit of the world’s fourth-largest steelmaker POSCO last year announced its new slogan “Happy Builder,” which represents the company’s willingness to create a happier society.

In it’s new focus on volunteer activities, POSCO E&C has put an emphasis on the participation of employees. Last year, each employee spent an average of 30 hours volunteering, according to the company.

The company launched 74 volunteer groups within the company in December 2004 when the builder celebrated its 10th anniversary. Now the number has almost tripled to some 190.

One of the volunteer groups that has carried out diverse services aggressively is the Incheon branch of “POSCO Family,” which was launched in 2010 together with POSCO E&C and other subcontractors in the Incheon area.

The group focuses on improving the living environment of underprivileged people through activities such as making kimchi for the winter and replacing wallpaper and linoleum floors.

More recently, volunteer activities by POSCO officials are expanding overseas.

In July, the company dispatched a volunteer group of college students to Indonesia.

The 25 members of Happy Builder, the company’s program supporting volunteer activities by college students, helped renovate five elementary schools in the city of Cilegon together with some 100 workers at POSCO Family companies there.

They also served as temporary tutors for young students, helping them learn good hygiene practices and joining in cultural activities.

POSCO E&C, sponsored by Korea’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry, also set up audio and visual media labs at the city’s two community centers and provided equipment for enjoying K-pop to five elementary schools.

The company has also continued to team up with other organizations to offer more systemized support overseas.

This year, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Korea Disaster Relief Association, the nation’s largest aid group, to offer relief supplies.

In February last year, the company had also inked an agreement with Inha University Hospital to support surgery costs for children with intractable diseases and other volunteer medical activities in abroad.

POSCO E&C, which carries out social contribution activities in Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia, plan to extend the region to Central and South America such as Chile, Peru and Brazil.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)