[Editorial] What Has Gov`t Done?

Ignoring the anxiety of the press that has worried about the economic hardships and the drought, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions including 120 enterprises began the general strike and consequently air disturbance has come about.

Most international flights of Korean Air are cancelled and the Asiana`s international lines are worried about its safety due to the participation of the flight attendants and the maintenance crews to the general strike. Two third cancellations of the international freight flights of KAL might negatively affect the export, which has been already on the down curve.

To make it worse, the Health and Medical Unions under KCTU including 12 major hospitals announced yesterday that they would join the general strike. Patients are expected to suffer from the medical disturbance again.

Reviewing the declaration of KCTU, it seems not clear for what purpose they enforce the general strike, which will paralyze the major functions of the society. The demands of KCTU includes the suspension of the restructuring, amendment of the private school law, legislation for the reformation of the press, the resignation of President Kim Dae-Jung, opposition to the MD system. It is questionable whether the press reformation is possible by the general strike and what the opposition to the MD system is related to the improvement of the workers` labor condition.

The sacrifice of the labor side in the process of the banking and industrial restructuring has been well recognized. However, the demand for the suspension of the restructuring is not acceptable, considering that many enterprises are still suffering from their low profit ability and high debt ratio.

In addition, some other demands of KCTU, such as the abolition of the discriminative treatment to the irregular employees and the legalization of their status equal to the regular employees, 5 day labor system, maternity protection law, are not the issues that can be solved by a few days discussion or a violent general strike. The process will require more times for the legislation and the preparation of the employers to improve their profit ability.

The general strike, after delaying the negotiations between the employer and the employees, would decrease the Korean credibility and consequently would negatively affect the sales negotiation of Daewoo Motor, and eventually be a reason to push out foreign investors. It`s time for the Korean labor movement has to move toward the reasonable negotiation and discussion.

Considering the general strike in the midst of the severe drought, KCTU are delivering waters to the Paju area, Kyonggi, by mobilizing the Remicon trucks that participate in the general strike. However, if they really concerned about the drought, they should have postponed their general strike.

The government must strictly and quickly respond to the potential violent activities and illegal strikes in the middle of this general strike.