Cement Industry Suffers 19 Billion KRW Loss on First Day of Cargo Solidarity General Strike

The bulk cement trailer (BCT) stopped due to the general strike of the Cargo Solidarity Union. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] On the first day of the general strike by the Cargo Solidarity (Hwamul Solidarity) of the Public Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, the cement industry is estimated to have suffered sales losses of approximately 19 billion KRW.

According to the Korea Cement Association on the 24th, the Cargo Solidarity almost completely halted the shipment of cement via land transport (BCT) following a full transport refusal after the send-off rally at 11 a.m. As a result, only about 10,000 tons of the approximately 200,000 tons of cement scheduled for shipment were actually shipped. The estimated damage amounted to about 19 billion KRW (190,000 tons × 100,000 KRW/ton).

The government deployed public authority forces in some areas, including Yeongwol and Jecheon plants in Gangwon-do, and distribution (shipment) bases in Paldang, Deokso, and Busan, to prepare for the Cargo Solidarity's organized shipment obstruction.

A Korea Cement Association official stated, "Cement production is proceeding normally regardless of the transport refusal," adding, "The industry is transporting as much cement as possible to distribution (shipment) bases located at various railway stations and ports through rail and ship transport to stockpile inventory."