South Korean trade unions mobilise against government attacks

Led by Korean union confederations, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and the Korean Federation of Trade Unions (KFTU), demonstrations are being planned for Saturday, 5 December to protest the government’s reaction to a rally held 14 November. As unions protested a reform to the country’s labour laws, police halted the rally by attacking activists with water cannons, arrested 51 and summoned 270 others. One of the protestors hit by one of the water cannons remains in a coma.

Police also searched the home of the KCTU’s general secretary on 24 November before raiding eight of the federation’s affiliate and regional branch offices.  Computers, external hard drives, and meeting documents were confiscated.

The Korean Federation of Public Services and Transportation Workers' Union (KPTU) and the Korean Construction Workers’ Union (KCWU) have also been targeted by the government attacks.

The administration of President Park Guen-hye has repeatedly sought to weaken the rights of workers and their unions since taking office in 2013, including mobilising police to disrupt protests and to arrest trade union leaders. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has on several occasions condemned the government of Korea for its serious violations of the right to freedom of association and to bargain collectively.

The international labour movement, including the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and global union federations have issued a call for a massive online protest campaign through Labourstart.

[Mon, 30 Nov 2015 16:06:54 +0000] | DIGG THIS