Dismissed workers eligible to join labor union: court

A local court ruled that unemployed people seeking jobs and dismissed workers are eligible to join labor unions.

The judgment, in which the court broadly interpreted the concept of a worker, attracted considerable interest, as it would pave the way for dismissed workers to join labor unions and protect unemployed people who are seeking jobs. The ruling is expected to strengthen the organizing power of local labor unions.

The Seoul Administrative Court ruled in favor of the plaintiff Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by the Seoul Regional Women¡¯s Labor Union against the Seoul City Government over its decision to ban the establishment of a labor union. Seoul rejected an application to form a labor union because a woman who was seeking a job was included in its ranks.

Identifying who qualifies as a "worker" should be decided according to three basic labor rights, including the right of organization, not based on whether a person is actually attached to a specific employer, the court ruled. A person who is unemployed or seeking a job is included in the scope of "worker."