[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] The strike by subcontractor union members at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) has continued for the 24th day.
Members of the Metal Workers' Union Gyeongnam Branch Geoje Tongyeong Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractor Union held a rally on the 24th in front of the west gate of DSME in Geoje City, Gyeongnam, demanding a "30% wage increase."
They pointed out that "everyone, including the primary contractors, knows the fact that ships cannot be built due to a lack of manpower, but there is no sign of improving the low-wage structure for subcontracted workers."
Yoon Jang-hyuk, chairman of the Metal Workers' Union, stated, "Our demand is to restore the wages that have been taken away for years," adding, "Subcontracted workers had their wages cut to minimum wage levels during the shipbuilding industry's downturn and worked under those conditions."
He also urged for immediate negotiations to be held to resolve the strike situation amicably.
The management appealed on the 20th for the subcontractor union to stop the strike, stating, "We will file complaints and lawsuits against all perpetrators of illegal acts and hold them legally responsible for damages such as loss of sales due to the suspension of launching and delays in processes."
They also emphasized, "Due to the union's industrial action, the scheduled launching of Dock 1 has been halted, and sales are expected to decrease by hundreds of billions of won," urging, "We request the illegal collective action to stop and for workers to return to the workplace to resolve the issue through dialogue."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
