School and Public Sector Irregular Workers' General Strike Rally... Demanding "End to Discrimination"

Members of the National School Irregular Workers' Union are marching to the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 25th at Yeouidaero, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] School and public sector irregular workers launched a general strike on the 25th, demanding the abolition of discrimination against irregular workers.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) held a "Public Sector Irregular Workers General Strike Rally" around 2:30 p.m. at Yeouidaero in Seoul, demanding the establishment of a permanent Public Officials Committee and the abolition of welfare allowance discrimination. According to the organizers, including the KCTU Public Transport Union, Service Federation, and Democratic General Federation, about 40,000 people participated in the general strike rally.

Yang Kyung-soo, chairman of the KCTU, said, "The labor field is a battlefield and a disaster site every day. That is why we raised the flag of struggle, saying 'We cannot live like this anymore,'" adding, "Let's leave a world without irregular workers to our children." The KCTU argued that "the Public Officials Committee, which is supposed to resolve public sector irregular worker issues, is at risk of being abolished without even properly discussing its agenda," and demanded the establishment of the Public Officials Committee as a permanent body.

Lee Yoon-hee, head of the National Education Public Officials Headquarters, said, "Today's general strike is a warning to the education authorities and the beginning of our struggle," adding, "If the government and education superintendents do not respond, we will not hesitate to hold a general strike at the start of the new school year next year for the first time in history." Due to the large-scale rally, Yeouidaero towards Seoulgyo (from the south end of Mapo Bridge to in front of Yeouido Park) was fully closed from the morning.