Court Orders Daewoo Shipbuilding Dock Occupying Union Members to Evacuate
Metalworkers' Union to Hold General Strike on 20th... "No Response from Yoon Government in Negotiations"
Likely to Use Daewoo Shipbuilding Strike as Momentum Booster
[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] Although the court has issued an eviction order to the members of the Metal Workers' Union Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch occupying the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering dock, production stoppages due to the strike are becoming visible.
On this day, there are also calls for active exercise of public authority against the illegal occupation by the Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch. The Korea Employers Federation stated on the 17th, "The government should not only emphasize autonomous resolution between labor and management in the face of existing illegal acts," and added, "Public authority must be exercised to prevent further significant damage to the national economy."
The Federation emphasized, "The Subcontractors Branch must immediately cease illegal acts that cause enormous damage to our shipbuilding industry and economy," and "They should return to work first and then resolve issues through dialogue."
They continued, "Our shipbuilding industry has suffered long-term difficulties due to shipping market downturns, worsening international economy, rising raw material prices, and a high-wage, low-efficiency structure," and "Nevertheless, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has recently nearly achieved its annual order target, raising expectations for management recovery."
In particular, they added, "The illegal acts of the Subcontractors Branch are attempting to nullify Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s efforts for management recovery," and "If production disruptions delay ship delivery, it will not only lower credibility but also cause significant long-term damage to the international competitiveness of the shipbuilding industry, with concerns about damage to the local economy as well."
On the 15th, the Changwon District Court Tongyeong Branch 2nd Civil Division partially accepted a provisional injunction to prohibit assemblies and demonstrations.
The court ordered a payment of 3 million KRW per day if acts such as occupying Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s first dock, carrying dangerous objects, blocking access, or obstructing labor provision are violated.
The court pointed out, "The related acts have exceeded the scope of legitimate dispute actions defined by laws enacted to guarantee workers' rights to unionize, collective bargaining, and collective action," and "As a result, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering has suffered or is highly likely to suffer significant economic losses."
However, the court did not impose a ban on access, considering that the scope of prohibited acts or interference with work requested by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering could excessively restrict the right to collective action.
On the 2nd of last month, workers of the Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch went on strike demanding improvements to the low-wage structure. Six subcontracted workers are conducting a high-altitude protest at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering’s Okpo Shipyard first dock, and Branch President Yoo is continuing the protest inside a cage. Since the 14th, three subcontracted workers have been on an indefinite hunger strike in front of the Industrial Bank of Korea’s headquarters.
The Korean Metal Workers' Union (Metal Union) under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions plans to carry out a general strike on the 20th. They warned, "If the management does not respond to the bargaining demands of Daewoo Shipbuilding subcontracted workers, we have no choice but to consider linking the general strike with the ongoing Daewoo Shipbuilding strike in Geoje."
On the 23rd, about 40 civic groups will take the 'Hope Bus' to Daewoo Shipbuilding. The police are investigating the Geoje-Tongyeong-Goseong Shipbuilding Subcontractors Branch leader and others on charges including obstruction of business. They have sent a 4th summons with a deadline of the 22nd.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
![Clutching a Stolen Dior Bag, Saying "I Hate Being Poor but Real"... The Grotesque Con of a "Human Knockoff" [Slate]](https://cwcontent.asiae.co.kr/asiaresize/183/2026021902243444107_1771435474.jpg)
