BY BRIAN TAYLOR
Striking workers in south Korea said they'd be back out after New Year's, and they are. Nearly 220,000 trade unionists are continuing the strike, which began December 26 to protest antilabor legislation adopted that day. On January 6, the first day the actions resumed, the stock market in Seoul fell 2.6 percent, to a 46-month low. The Associated Press reported that beginning January 9 Hyundai workers at 15 plants would resume work for two hours a day through Tuesday, January 14. Other auto workers and shipbuilders remain out. If the government does not repeal the laws by midnight January 14, the unions have threatened to launch another general strike.

The strikers are opposing a package of laws that make it easier for companies to lay off workers and hire temporary and replacement workers, and make it possible for the government to intervene in labor disputes with binding arbitration. One provision maintains a ban on the second largest union federation in south Korea. Also included in the laws are provisions that give extended powers to the secret police. These cops are particularly used against students and workers fighting for the reunification of Korea.

The bulk of those out in the second round - auto and shipbuilding workers -were joined January 7 by 3,000 nurses and other unionized workers in 24 hospitals and 7,500 broadcasting workers from four national broadcasting stations. In all, workers from 191 companies have joined the strike. Students have also joined in on the pro-union activities.

Upwards of 20,000 workers, students, and their supporters rallied in Seoul Park January 6, calling for the ouster of south Korean president Kim Young Sam and the repeal of the antilabor laws. The following day 5,000 nurses, doctors, and other professional workers held an action at that same park, while 15,000 striking workers and supporters rallied in the southern city of Ulsan.

Workers held a special "Day of solidarity with the people" January 8. Nurses gave free checkups and mechanics offered complimentary tune-ups, while appealing to others for solidarity.

Seoul says $1.4 billion has been lost in production as a result of the strike, with export profits being cut by $244 million. The regime continues to try to downplay the strike by claiming only 64,000 workers are out, less than a third the number the unions report.

An article in the January 7 Financial Times reported, "Employers are urging the government to take stern measures, including arresting union leaders and demanding compensation from unions for losses caused by strikes." On January 7, the government summoned 50 union leaders for questioning. Unionists said strikes would intensify if arrests took place. None have been arrested so far.  
 
 
Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home