▲ General strike rally of the KCTU in July last year
The National Federation of Democratic Trade Unions (Confederation of Democratic Trade Unions) emphasized that today (23rd) the decision to enter a general strike even during the spread of Corona 19 is to prevent the government and chaebol from attempting to neutralize the union.
In a statement on the day, the KCTU said, "At this point, the KCTU is committed to a general strike and all-out struggle to protect the labor union that will support the lives of 1 million members, 25 million workers, and all the people."
The KCTU criticized that "the government is pushing for labor reform that has nothing to do with ratification of the core conventions of the International Labor Organization (ILO)," and "is trying to neutralize the labor union."
The government has submitted to the National Assembly an amendment to the labor union law reflecting the contents of the agreement along with ratification of the ILO core agreement.
The amendment is about expanding the freedom of association, such as allowing unemployed and dismissed to join the union, but reflecting the demands of the management community, such as prohibiting occupation of the workplace in case of strike, is causing a backlash from the labor world.
The KCTU announced that it plans to hold a nationwide simultaneous assembly with a general strike on the 25th with the aim of stopping the passage of the National Assembly amendments to the labor union law submitted by the government.
The KCTU said, "The government should withdraw the'Labor Deformation Act' and the National Assembly immediately ratify the core ILO agreements." Insisted.
The KCTU refuted the criticism of the general strike and assembly plan by the politicians and the media for the prevention of Corona 19, saying, "The situation and position of the KCTU are being deleted and the public's anxiety is being used to the fullest."
(Photo = Yonhap News)