Democratic Labor Union Reconsiders Ratification of 'COVID-19 Tripartite Agreement'

Kim Myung-hwan, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is attending the "11th Central Executive Committee Meeting" held at the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 1st. / Photo by Moon Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) will revisit the 'Tripartite Agreement to Overcome the Novel Coronavirus Infection (COVID-19)' which failed to reach a final agreement.

On the afternoon of the 2nd, the KCTU will convene the 11th Central Executive Committee (CEC) to reconsider the ratification of the tripartite agreement. The day before, the KCTU issued a statement saying, "We attempted to participate in the tripartite representatives' meeting after organizational discussions and approval of the final draft at the previous CEC, but the meeting did not open." They added, "This tripartite representatives' meeting was initiated at the request of the KCTU, and we believe that a prompt convening of an extraordinary delegate assembly is necessary to seek approval for the agreement to support numerous vulnerable workers suffering from the COVID-19 crisis." It is expected that the KCTU will discuss the schedule for the extraordinary delegate assembly during the CEC meeting held that day.

Previously, on the 29th of last month, the KCTU raised supplementary opinions on four major contentious points regarding the tripartite agreement during the CEC and proceeded with government consultations. The 11th CEC discussion related to this was originally scheduled for the previous day but was not held due to opposition from some hardliners, including the Metal Workers' Union under the KCTU. They protested against the KCTU leadership and Chairman Kim Myung-hwan, arguing that the tripartite agreement did not include the KCTU's demands such as a 'ban on layoffs.' As a result, the 'Tripartite Agreement Ceremony to Overcome the COVID-19 Crisis' was canceled due to the KCTU's absence.

Chairman Kim is expected to consider his position based on the results of the delegate assembly. On the afternoon of the previous day, Chairman Kim was transported to a hospital in Seoul due to a sudden deterioration in his health. A KCTU official stated, "Chairman Kim has a history of diabetes and high blood pressure," and added, "During the process of blocking the attendance of some industrial unions, he experienced pressure and stress, which caused a nosebleed and he briefly collapsed."

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