"Stop the Deterioration of the Labor Union Act"... KCTU to Proceed with General Strike Today, Nationwide Simultaneous Rallies

Stop the Deterioration of Labor Laws
Demand for Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws

Ban on Gatherings of 10 or More in Seoul
Small-Scale Gatherings Following Quarantine Rules

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) launched a general strike on the 25th to block the revision of labor laws for one day. Amid the resurgence phase of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), rallies were held across the country, raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases.

This general strike by the KCTU is the first this year and is analyzed as an effort to pressure the National Assembly as the review of the Trade Union Act amendment is in full swing. The amendment to the Trade Union Act is aimed at ratifying the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO). While it expanded freedom of association by allowing unemployed and dismissed workers to join unions in accordance with the convention, it also reflected some demands from the business sector, such as prohibiting workplace occupation during strikes, which has caused backlash from labor groups. Additionally, the KCTU is demanding the passage of the 'Jeon Tae-il 3 Laws,' including the enactment of the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act, which strengthens the responsibility and punishment of business owners for major accidents occurring in companies.

The KCTU announced that 150,000 to 200,000 union members would participate in the general strike that day. However, since the number of participants in the general strikes in March and July last year was estimated by the Ministry of Employment and Labor to be only 3,000 and 12,000 respectively, it is expected that the actual number of participants will be lower.

Originally, the KCTU had planned a large-scale rally in Yeouido, Seoul, but due to Seoul city’s quarantine rules prohibiting gatherings of more than 10 people, it was decided to replace it with simultaneous small-scale rallies across the country. Starting with a press conference held around 3 p.m. in front of the Seoul branch of the Democratic Party of Korea, press conferences will be held in front of the offices of Seoul-area Democratic Party lawmakers including Representative Lee Nak-yeon, and Assemblymen Kim Young-joo and Woo Sang-ho. Press conferences will also be held at Democratic Party city and provincial party offices and in front of city halls nationwide. The KCTU emphasized, "The only way to stop the all-out struggle is to immediately halt the National Assembly’s discussion on labor law deterioration."

However, amid concerns over the resurgence of COVID-19 and with daily quarantine measures elevated to level 2 since the day before, criticism of the nationwide simultaneous rallies is growing. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCHQ) meeting held at the government Seoul office that day, "Considering the recent momentum of COVID-19, it is very worrisome," and urged, "Especially in consideration of the desperate feelings of examinees and parents with the college entrance exam approaching, please immediately withdraw the scheduled rallies." Seoul city and the Ministry of Employment and Labor also urged the KCTU to refrain from the general strike the day before. The police plan to respond in principle if violations of quarantine rules occur during this general strike.

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