Remicon Workers Fired in Yeonggwang Area Occupy and Protest at Lee Nak-yeon's Office

Published 05 Aug.2021 15:58(KST)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jeonseong] On the 5th, dismissed ready-mix concrete workers from Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, began a sit-in protest at the campaign office of presidential candidate Lee Nak-yeon.

They stated, “Compared to ready-mix concrete transport workers in nearby areas, we were forced to endure significantly lower wages and long working hours,” and added, “We have lived swallowing tears in a reality where the three fundamental labor rights are not guaranteed.”

They continued, “At the end of last year, we learned that ready-mix concrete transport workers could also join labor unions, and after discussions, we joined the union in February,” and claimed, “The unionized workers prepared demands such as wage increases and implementation of an 8-hour workday in March and requested negotiations, but were all dismissed by the management.”

They also said, “The management used all means of repression, including criminal charges, injunction lawsuits for obstruction of business, and civil lawsuits threats, driving workers to the brink,” and lamented, “The past 80 days have been a painful experience of the Korean labor formula that to be recognized as a union and to improve wages and working conditions, one must be prepared for dismissal, detention, and seizure of damages.”

Furthermore, they emphasized, “Although we reported the management to the Ministry of Employment and Labor for refusing negotiations and suppressing the union, the Moon Jae-in administration has not punished the management because Yeonggwang ready-mix concrete transport workers are classified as special employment workers,” and added, “As the Ministry of Employment and Labor and prosecution delay punishment, the management is rampaging like a runaway colt, oppressing the workers.”

They also added, “Candidate Lee Nak-yeon, who served as the first prime minister under the Moon Jae-in government and as the leader of the Democratic Party, should apologize to the dismissed Yeonggwang ready-mix concrete workers for failing to keep the promise of the three fundamental labor rights for special employment workers and take action to resolve the situation.”