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Unionists in south Korea strike for shorter workweek |
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Striking workers rallied in Seoul May 26, days before start of soccer World Cup.
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BY JACK WILLEY
Thousands of striking workers rallied in Seoul, south Korea, May 26 as part of a flurry of strikes and demonstrations in the days leading up to the soccer World Cup finals, hosted by south Korea and Japan. The World Cup matches take place May 31 to June 30. In defiance of government pleas to suspend contract negotiations until after the games, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the second largest labor organization, launched wildcat strikes of some 40,000 metal, chemical, and hospital workers May 22. Workers are demanding a five-day, 40-hour workweek with no cut in pay. Currently south Koreans work six days a week, including a half day on Saturday. Although the government declared the hospital workers strike illegal, the unionists have refused to return to work. According to Agence France-Presse, about 5,000 workers held a rally in the capital the day after their walkout began, disrupting rush-hour traffic. On May 24, they were joined by 10,000 taxi drivers calling for a monthly salary instead of the current system of a paltry base wage and a share of the revenues from trips they make. The drivers threatened to hold large-scale demonstrations with their cars in the 10 cities where the World Cup games will take place if no agreement is reached. As the fight escalated, the government banned all demonstrations around stadiums in the 10 cities and threatened strikers with retaliation. "The government will take stern action over the strike," finance minister Jeon Yun-churl said. "We will not tolerate any illegal strikes that are waged at the cost of the World Cup finals." On May 26, thousands of strikers rallied in Seoul, chanting, "Fight! Fight!" carrying banners and signs emblazoned with demands for a 40-hour workweek and a halt to moves to privatize state-owned companies. In face of stiff resistance, the rulers have increased pressure on the employers to settle. Associated Press reports that many workers have begun returning to their jobs after winning wage increases and other demands. For those who do not settle before the games, the confederation issued a statement saying, "We will try our best to resolve all issues before the World Cup begins. However, if some employers think that our movement will be discouraged in the runup to the World Cup and do not negotiate seriously, we will carry out the protest despite the soccer tournament."
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