Labor Unions Promise Harsh Struggles

Two major labor unions of Korea, Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) and Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), have begun their struggle against the government`s proposal for the 5-work day schedule. On Oct. 27th, as first step in that regard, the two unions waged a large-scale demonstration to block the passage of the government`s bill through Congress.

The Headquarters for Coordinated Struggle by Companies in Manufacturing Sector (HCSMS), which consists of FKTU`s subdivisions, held a rally in Youido, Youngdeungpo Gu, Seoul, with more than 10,000 members participated. The HCCSMS members said that the reason for the rally was to block the passage of a revision of the Labor Standards Act to their disadvantage, and to complete the achievement of shortened labor time.

The HCCSMS said, "The government has ignored our efforts to improve the qualify of lie and shorten the work hours. It just accepted what the owners had requested. We will even embark on a nationwide strikeout if the bill is passed in Congress."

It also stressed, “If a presidential candidate endorses the bill, we will strongly campaign against the candidate in the upcoming presidential election in December."

According to the HCCSMS, its senior members will put up a tent in front of the Congress in Youido, and wage a street protest there. On the other hand, its subdivisions will hold a referendum on whether to stage a nationwide strikeout, from Oct. 28th to Nov. 2nd. After the votes, if approved, it will exercise the strikeout as soon as the bill is passed.

After the rally, the union members paraded from the Culture Hall in Youido to the Youngdungpo Rotary. The FKTU defined as "three anti-labor evil laws," the proposed bill for revision of the Labor Standards Act, Act for Economic Zones and Act for Civil Servants’ Organization. It promises to fight for blocking the bill by waging a relay struggle in front of the Congress, by visiting political parties and congressional committees and by holding a national rally of workers. In the meanwhile, subdivision members of the two unions in railroad transportation, natural gas and electricity generation sectors held a rally in Chongro, Seoul, and demanded that another government bill to overhaul the natural gas industry be repealed. In addition, the National Nonghyup Union also held a rally before the Congress and alleged that the free trade agreement between Korea and Chile threatens the livelihood of the Korean farmers, and that the integration of Nonghyup divisions in 2000 has rendered the divisions barren.

Jin Lee leej@donga.com