Cargo Solidarity Union to Launch General Strike from 25th... Government to Implement "Emergency Transport Measures"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Hyun-seok] As the Cargo Solidarity Union enters a three-day general strike from the 25th to the 27th, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has decided to implement emergency transportation measures to minimize damage. At the same time, it will continue to attempt dialogue with the Cargo Solidarity Union.

On the 24th, MOLIT announced that it has prepared emergency transportation measures together with related ministries, local governments, and cargo transport business organizations to minimize the scale of domestic and international logistics damage.

Following the strike notice from the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, MOLIT issued a crisis alert at the "caution" level from 9 a.m. on the 19th. If a strike occurs, the alert level will be raised to "warning." Depending on the severity of the strike, an upgrade to "serious" will also be considered.

The emergency transportation measures include permitting paid transportation by private cargo trucks, deploying idle vehicles and military-commissioned container cargo trucks, and supporting the securing of alternative transport vehicles.

MOLIT plans to permit paid transportation from the 25th to the 27th for owners or transport companies possessing private cargo trucks with a maximum load capacity of 8 tons or more, including general cargo trucks and tow-type special vehicles.

Owners or transport companies can submit an application to the nearest city, county, or district office to receive a permit. Additionally, idle vehicles will be deployed for cargo owners and transport companies facing difficulties securing vehicles, and 100 military-commissioned container trucks will be deployed as needed at ports or inland logistics bases.

If cargo owner companies or transport companies require urgent transportation, they can contact the National Federation of Cargo Truck Transport Brokerage Businesses or MOLIT to receive support in securing transportable cargo trucks such as alternative transport vehicles. MOLIT is also reportedly preparing for temporary operation of cargo trains if there is transportation demand.

The Cargo Solidarity Union plans to conduct a general strike at bases of its 16 regional headquarters starting at midnight on the 25th and hold a government and ruling party condemnation rally on the 27th.

The Cargo Solidarity Union demands from the government include ▲ abolition of the sunset clause on the safe freight rate system ▲ expansion of the safe freight rate to all vehicle types and all items ▲ freight rate increases to secure livelihoods ▲ full application of industrial accident insurance ▲ abolition of the consignment system ▲ and securing basic labor rights. The safe freight rate system imposes fines on cargo owners who pay rates lower than the safe freight rate and was introduced as a three-year sunset system (2020?2022).

On the 25th, the Cargo Solidarity Union will hold general strike departure ceremonies at its 16 regional headquarters nationwide. The Seoul and Gyeonggi headquarters will hold their departure ceremony at 10 a.m. at the traffic island in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province.

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