Construction and Materials Industry "Shutdown Crisis... Government Must Strictly Respond to Cargo Solidarity"

Joint Statement by 5 Construction and Materials Industry Groups
"Unjustified Selfish Behavior" Criticized

On the morning of the 27th, cargo trucks stood still in the Pohang Steel Industrial Complex, Ocheon-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] The construction and materials industries have urged the Cargo Solidarity Union to immediately cease their collective transportation refusal and return to the work sites.

On the 28th, the Korea Construction Association, Korea Specialty Construction Association, Korea Cement Association, Korea Ready-Mixed Concrete Industry Association, and the Cooperative Federation issued a joint statement saying, "The Cargo Solidarity Union's illegal collective transportation refusal is an unjustified selfish act."

They stated that while the construction and materials industries are facing severe difficulties due to domestic and international factors such as rising raw material prices, high inflation, high interest rates, and liquidity shortages, the Cargo Solidarity Union's collective transportation refusal has put all construction sites at risk of shutdown.

They pointed out, "The Cargo Solidarity Union's collective transportation refusal is an irresponsible collective action that disregards the national economy and people's livelihoods," adding, "It is holding hostage the labor rights of non-union members, the livelihoods of workers in the construction and materials industries, national logistics, and housing supply stability for the public."

They also emphasized, "In June, the collective transportation refusal caused damages amounting to billions of won and significant construction delays in the construction and materials industries," and stressed, "Such illegal acts cannot be tolerated while the government, National Assembly, companies, and workers are putting all their efforts into overcoming the economic crisis."

They requested the government to respond strictly according to laws and principles.

The organizations said, "Strong government crackdowns and strict law enforcement are necessary against illegal acts such as the Cargo Solidarity Union's obstruction of non-union vehicle transportation and blockade of logistics base entrances," adding, "A clear message must be sent that all offenders will be pursued and subjected to judicial action without exception."

They continued, "We can no longer be dragged along by the Cargo Solidarity Union's tyranny," and added, "If it is recognized that the Cargo Solidarity Union's collective transportation refusal poses a serious threat to the national economy, please promptly issue a work commencement order to normalize national logistics."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport raised the crisis alert level for the land freight transportation sector from 'caution' to 'serious' on the same day. With the crisis alert level elevated to the highest level, 'serious,' the government response system was also strengthened to a central disaster and safety countermeasure headquarters at the pan-government level.