Democratic Labor Union's Full Strike... Business Community Warns of "Concerns Over Economic Recovery"

[Asia Economy Reporter Changhwan Lee] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) is pressing ahead with a general strike, raising concerns among the business community. There are worries that the strike could dampen the recovery of the Korean economy, which has been gradually improving after difficulties caused by COVID-19.

On the 20th, the KCTU announced, "The 10.20 general strike struggle and the general strike rally, which are the first steps toward eradicating inequality and making a major transition to an egalitarian society, will be held simultaneously today in 14 regions nationwide, including Seoul."

The KCTU launched the general strike demanding the abolition of discrimination against workplaces with fewer than five employees, the elimination of irregular workers, securing the right of all workers to union activities, achieving publicness in care, medical services, education, housing, and transportation, and establishing a national responsibility system for jobs during industrial transition.

This general strike is being held despite concerns about the spread of COVID-19 and the difficult economic situation, causing widespread apprehension. In particular, the business community is voicing that the KCTU should exercise restraint as the Korean economy, which has been recovering from COVID-19 damage with difficulty, could fall back into crisis.

The Korea Employers Federation (KEF) issued a statement saying, "Many companies and workers are sharing the pain to protect workplaces and jobs amid the crisis caused by the spread and prolongation of COVID-19," and urged, "The KCTU should withdraw its general strike plan and join efforts to recover the economy."

The KEF emphasized, "Stability in labor-management relations at industrial sites is essential for economic recovery," and added, "Strict accountability must be enforced for illegal acts occurring during the general strike to establish the rule of law in the industrial field."

The business community is concerned that domestic labor-management relations may deteriorate again due to this KCTU general strike. According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the number of domestic labor disputes reached 87 cases by September this year, a 52.6% increase compared to 57 cases in the same period last year.

Major disputes led by the KCTU include the Metal Workers' Union Hyundai Steel Irregular Workers' Branch's sit-in protest at the Hyundai Steel Dangjin Plant control center, the KCTU Service Federation's National Courier Union strike, and the KCTU Public Transport Union Cargo Solidarity's protest against SPC Group's transportation refusal.

Consequently, damages to the business community have also increased significantly. The number of lost workdays reached 299,068 days by September, a 19.6% increase compared to the same period last year. It is expected that the number of labor disputes and lost workdays will rise sharply following the KCTU general strike.

The government also urged restraint on the general strike. It warned that the KCTU's strike rallies could trigger a resurgence of COVID-19 and stated it would respond strictly to illegal acts occurring during the general strike and assembly process.

A business community official said, "In a situation where the public has endured hardships due to COVID-19 and hopes for 'With Corona' through national efforts, the KCTU holding illegal assemblies once again betrays the public's expectations."

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