Labor Movement's 'Hatu' Begins in Earnest... Strong Struggle Predicted Due to COVID-19 Impact

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Labor unions under the umbrella of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) appear to be gearing up for the 'Hatu (Labor Movement in the Second Half of the Year)' by demanding improvements in the treatment of non-regular workers in the public sector and the elimination of discrimination. Although the unprecedented economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic had created an atmosphere of restraint in labor struggles, there is a possibility that labor-management conflicts over pressing issues such as wage and collective bargaining agreements could erupt with the second half-year struggle.

The National Education Public Officials Headquarters announced on the morning of the 23rd that it would hold a press conference in front of the Government Seoul Office together with the National School Irregular Workers Solidarity to demand improvements in the working conditions and treatment of education public officials, and that it would launch a full-scale wage negotiation struggle. Public officials are workers hired as indefinite-term contract employees by government ministries or public institutions.

A representative of the Education Public Officials Headquarters stated, "Although the Public Officials Committee has been launched, there are still significant differences in the treatment and labor conditions of non-regular workers in the public sector depending on the field," adding, "We are aware of the various economic difficulties caused by COVID-19, but we plan to continue the struggle to ensure that welfare-related wages are received on the same standards as regular workers." The headquarters had already requested negotiations with the education authorities on the 1st of this month. Full-scale negotiations are expected to begin as early as the beginning of next month.

The National Construction Workers' Union will hold a launch ceremony for a focused publicity campaign for a general strike by construction workers on the 24th to achieve ten major demands, including the Serious Accident Punishment Act and the Construction Safety Special Act. At the launch ceremony, the union will deliver demands to resolve recurring safety issues at construction sites, such as the Icheon logistics warehouse fire accident, and plans to initiate a general strike starting from the nationwide workers' rally scheduled for the 4th of next month.

The KCTU will hold a nationwide workers' rally at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on the same day, demanding the abolition of non-regular employment, an increase in the minimum wage, and the transformation of the conglomerate system.

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