Sampyo Industrial Emergency Committee "Assembly to Secure Livelihood at Seongsu Ready-Mix Concrete Plant on the 24th"

Panoramic view of the Sempio Industrial Ready-Mix Concrete Plant site and surrounding area in Seongsu-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Photo by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daeseop] Workers at Sampyo Industrial's ready-mixed concrete plant in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, will take collective action on the 24th through a rally demanding the suspension of the administrative procedures for factory closure by the Seoul Metropolitan Government to secure their right to livelihood.

According to the Emergency Countermeasures Committee, composed of about 500 workers including Sampyo Industrial ready-mixed concrete drivers on the 23rd, the rally will be held in front of Seongdong-gu Office in Seoul. This is because the Seongdong District Council will begin discussions on the urban management plan amendment procedure for converting the ready-mixed concrete plant site in Seongsu-dong into a park, promoted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seongdong-gu on the 24th.

According to the Emergency Countermeasures Committee, in October 2017, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seongdong-gu, Hyundai Steel, and Sampyo Industrial signed a four-party agreement to relocate the Sampyo ready-mixed concrete plant by June 2022. The committee claims that the four parties promised to proceed with administrative procedures for relocation after signing a follow-up agreement detailing the timing of the plant's relocation and demolition, as well as compensation methods.

A representative of the committee stated, "Contrary to the promises in the agreement at that time, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seongdong-gu are trying to force administrative procedures for relocation without preparing specific relocation measures or follow-up agreements. If the Seoul Metropolitan Government demolishes the plant without relocation measures, about 500 plant workers will lose their jobs, and more than 2,000 people including their families will have their right to livelihood threatened."

The representative added, "It is unlikely that the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Seongdong-gu intend to create Seoul Forest Park at the expense of threatening the livelihoods of Seoul citizens."

The Emergency Countermeasures Committee has been demanding the suspension of administrative actions that lack measures for the relocation site, plant workers, and ready-mixed concrete vehicle drivers (independent contractors). The committee plans to continue rallies from the 24th to demand the preparation of relocation measures and the implementation of follow-up agreements.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.