SME Sector: "Relieved by Cargo Solidarity Strike Withdrawal... Strict Response to Illegal Acts Needed to Prevent Recurrence"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwak Min-jae] The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) sector welcomed the Cargo Solidarity Union's withdrawal of the collective transport refusal and demanded that the government respond strictly according to law and principles to prevent the recurrence of the situation.

The Korea Federation of SMEs stated in a commentary on the 15th, "This Cargo Solidarity Union incident has only brought pain to SMEs and the public who are already on the brink due to COVID-19 and soaring raw material prices," and added, "We are relieved by the Cargo Solidarity Union's withdrawal of the collective transport refusal."

According to an emergency survey conducted by the Federation, 82.3% of small and medium-sized manufacturers experienced disruptions in logistics and transportation. In particular, the ready-mixed concrete industry is estimated to have suffered damages amounting to 400 billion won.

The SME sector further lamented, "Over the past five years, policies tilted toward labor, such as rapid minimum wage increases, the uniform 52-hour workweek system, and the enforcement of the Serious Accident Punishment Act, have caused difficulties including labor shortages and decreased investment motivation."

They then demanded, "The new government should strictly respond according to law and principles to illegal and unfair acts to prevent incidents like the Cargo Solidarity Union's collective transport refusal from recurring."

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