Minju Nochong Declares General Strike... "Enact the Yellow Envelope Act and the Construction Safety Act, Stop Privatization"

Large-Scale Labor Movement Predicted... "Must Stop Yoon Administration's Reckless Actions"

On the 22nd, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) declared a general strike, urging the Yoon Seok-yeol administration to enact the so-called 'Yellow Envelope Act', the Special Act on Construction Safety, and to halt privatization. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has declared a general strike, urging the Yoon Seok-yeol administration to enact the so-called 'Yellow Envelope Act', the Special Act on Construction Safety, and to halt privatization.

On the 22nd, the KCTU held a 'Press Conference to Announce the KCTU General Strike and Full-Scale Struggle and to Enter a Sit-in for Reform Legislation' in front of the National Assembly. Attending the press conference were Jang Ok-gi, Chairperson of the Construction Industry Federation under the KCTU; Hyun Jeong-hee, Chairperson of the Public Transport Union; Jeon Ho-il, Chairperson of the Government Employees Union; Yoon Jang-hyuk, Chairperson of the Metalworkers Union; and Yoon Chang-hyun, Chairperson of the Media Union. The KCTU National Construction Workers' Union also held a preliminary rally around Sungnyemun in Jung-gu, Seoul, before moving to the National Assembly for a large-scale main rally.

Yang Kyung-soo, Chairperson of the KCTU, stated, "We are launching a general strike and full-scale struggle to stop and judge the reckless actions of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," adding, "The workers' struggle will spread to become a struggle of the entire populace."

The KCTU demands from the Yoon government and the National Assembly include ▲ enacting the Special Act on Construction Safety to eradicate serious accidents at construction sites ▲ abolishing the sunset clause of the Cargo Safety Freight Rate System and expanding its applicable industries ▲ halting privatization of transportation, medical care, and care services and strengthening publicness ▲ enacting the Yellow Envelope Act (amending Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act) ▲ enacting the 'Real Boss Responsibility Act' and the 'Prohibition of Damage Compensation Bombardment Act'.

Chairperson Yang said, "We want workers to at least work without dying," and emphasized, "Anyone should be able to form a labor union, and the responsible primary contractors must come to the negotiations, so Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act must be amended."

He also called for solutions to the persistent industrial accidents at construction sites. The KCTU stated, "Although the Serious Accident Punishment Act has been in effect since early this year, serious accidents have actually increased compared to last year," and added, "Nearly half of the deaths from serious accidents occurred at construction sites, highlighting the need to enact the Special Act on Construction Safety, which has been neglected for over two years."

Meanwhile, the labor sector has announced plans for large-scale struggles starting at the end of this month. Beginning with a general strike by the Public Transport Union the next day, the Cargo Solidarity will strike on the 24th, followed by the public sector irregular workers' union and school irregular workers' union on the 25th, the Seoul Metro Union on the 30th, and the National Railroad Union strike on the 2nd of next month.

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