 KCTU forces government to abolish the bill on special economic zones |
500 Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) members held a press conference and rally in front of the headquarters of the conservative Grand National Party to urge the South Korean government to abolish the bill on special economic zones (SEZ).
* Struggle Videos
- Video I: Police arrested Yoo Deok-sang, acting chairman of KCTU, and Lee Nam-sun, chairman of FKTU Real Player | Window Media
- Video II: Harsh and cruel policy of the government toward laborers (Police attacked the workers) Real Player | Window Media
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[Recent Related Article]
▷ Bill on special economic zones is approved
▷ The Act on Establishment of Special Economic Zones Must Be Stopped!
▷ Race to More Liberalization, Race to the Bottom--A look into the liberalization process and its effects in Korea
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| Labor Cultural Festival--celebration of spirit and struggle |
This year's rally slogans were "Halt the retrogressive revision of the labor law! Abolish irregular work! Carry on the spirit of Chun Tae-il!"
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| The Korean Government Employees Union (KGEU, President Cha Bong-Cheon) -the hope of 900,000 government workers - is angered, together with the people of Korea, at the outbreak of police violence at the peaceful pre-rally ceremonies |
We demand that the government respect the National Government Workers' Rally that is to take place today, the 5th November, and should there arise any unexpected situation, the responsibility lies with the government. The Vice-president of the PSI, Kataoka Katsyuki, visited Korea to participate in the rally, and personally witnessed the violence committed by the police and expressed grave concern.
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| KCTU and KGEU launch general strike for labor rights |
The week is not over yet, but already a number of arrests, strikes, and demonstrations has shaken up the political and economic landscape in South Korea, setting the stage for a dramatic confrontation between capital and labor.
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[Recent Related Article]
▷ [Update] KCTU ends strike after government delays decision on workweek bill
▷ Government workers hold nation-wide rally for labor rights
▷ At the 3rd National Congress on September 15th, the KGEU decided to launch an all-out struggle including strikes in October through November
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| 5,000 Hospital Workers Strike in Solidarity |
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[Related Article]
▷ Large demonstration against the police attacking medical workers
▷ Korean Hospital Workers Plan Desperate Appeal to the Pope
▷ Hospital Workers' Sit-in at the Myongdong Cathedral
▷ Industrial Dispute at Catholic Hospitals: "Rule of Law" or Respect for Workers' Rights
▷ Anti-riot police attack striking hospital workers
▷ Korean security guards assault hospital workers
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| Street seller commits suicide over city regulations
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Park attempted self-immolation, which is to burn onself to death, on August 23rd to protest overly-harsh regulation against street selling enforced by city workers from Chung-Gu's ward office.
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| International Day of Action in Solidarity with Korean Workers |
The preparation for the June 27 International Day of Action for the Release of Imprisoned Trade Unionists in Korea, jointly proposed by the International Metalworkers Federation (IMF) and the Public Services International (PSI), endorsed by the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), and supported by the Global Unions, is fully underway.
[Related Article]
▷ Seoul Destroyers
▷ Korean trade unionists freed
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Korean Workers Struggle against the Government Provatization Policy, 2002 |
At an emergency session of the National Congress on March 26, the KCTU has called for a general strike to take up the month-long strike by the electricity workers in opposition to the Kim Dae Jung government's privatisation drive.
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- “We will live together and die together!”(interview with striking electricity workers) |
This is an interview with a group of striking electricity rank-and-file workers who have scattered around the country in small groups (what has come to be called the ‘scatter struggle’) to avoid crackdown by the police. PICIS translated and summarised the original interview in Korean implemented by Chamsesang (Jinbonet) News
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- Electricity Workers Are On Strike!! Your Solidarity And Support Is Urgently Needed!! |
NO TO NEO-LIBERALISM! NO TO PRIVATISATIONS! |
- Urgent Message from Korea: 52 electricity workers laid off! President of railway union arrested! |
NO TO PRIVATISATIONS!! SOLIDARITY WITH PUBLIC SECTOR WORKERS' GENERAL STRIKE! |
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[Related Articles]
▷ KCTU to Call for the Second Solidarity General Strike
▷ "We will live together and die together!"
▷ [March 1st, 2002] Electricity Workers Are Still On Strike!! Your Solidarity And Support Is Urgently Needed!
▷ [March 2nd, 2002] Urgent Message from Korea: 52 electricity workers laid off! President of railway union arrested!
▷ [February 25th, 2002] A Report on the Struggles of Korean Workers: Struggles Against Privatisation of Railway, Electricity and Gas
▷ History in the Making: the Railway Workers Strike
▷ History in the Making: the Second Day of the Strike and Solidarity General Strike
▷ So, What's So Illegal About Public Utilities Workers' Strike
▷ Strike Momentum Grows as Government Gears Up for Repression
▷ KCTU Declares Solidarity General Strike
▷ Please Send Your Solidarity to the Korean Public Sector Workers!
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(24th Mar. 2002)
(24th Feb. 2002)
(25th Feb. 2002)