"Stop the Transfer of Care Education to Local Governments"...KCTU School Expenses Union to Hold General Strike on the 6th

On the 3rd, the Seoul branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions' School Fee Workers' Union held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Jongno-gu, Seoul, opposing the "All-day Care Special Act," announcing a nationwide care strike, and condemning the Superintendent of Education.

[Asia Economy Reporters Donghoon Jeong, Intern Junhyung Park] The Seoul branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Service Federation National School Irregular Workers' Union (Hakbi Union) announced that it will hold a general strike on the 6th, demanding the suspension of the transfer of the after-school care classroom system to local governments.

On the 3rd, the Seoul branch of the KCTU Hakbi Union held a press conference in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Jongno-gu, Seoul, opposing the "All-day Care Special Act," declaring a nationwide care strike and condemning the superintendent of education.

The "All-day Care Special Act" aims to integrate the care systems operated separately by the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and other departments at the government-wide level, and to have the state and local governments oversee care services. The KCTU announced a general strike on the 6th, demanding the suspension of the transfer of after-school care classrooms to local governments and the conversion of care workers to full-time positions. According to the KCTU, more than half of the 13,000 care workers nationwide will participate in this strike.

At the press conference, Lee Miseon, head of the Seoul branch of the KCTU Hakbi Union, said, "Our society now calls care workers essential workers, but in schools, care workers are shadows," adding, "Isn't this why they are being pushed to transfer to local governments?" She continued, "Our hope is to create after-school care classrooms that ensure the safety of both teachers and children," and said, "The school union will stand together until the end."

Ansangmi, a care worker affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, said, "Even during the COVID-19 level 2.5 social distancing, after-school care classrooms did not close, but now only the strike remains," urging the authorities, "The authorities must provide responsible answers to prevent the general strike on the 6th."

The KCTU demanded the immediate suspension of the transfer of after-school care classrooms to local governments and the establishment of a complete public care system. They also urged securing the budget to convert the current part-time positions to full-time 8-hour shifts.

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