Joint Ministry Briefing on Cargo Solidarity Collective Transport Refusal
[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho warned on the 29th, "Following the issuance of the work commencement order, transportation operators and drivers in the cement sector must withdraw their refusal to transport and immediately return to their transportation duties," adding, "If the obligation to return is not fulfilled, strict measures will be taken in accordance with the law and principles."
Earlier, the government held a Cabinet meeting presided over by President Yoon Seok-yeol, where the 'work commencement order' against the cargo union's refusal to transport in the cement sector was deliberated and approved. Accordingly, if transportation duties are not resumed without justifiable reasons, penalties such as suspension of operation and disqualification, as well as imprisonment of up to three years or fines of up to 30 million won, may be imposed.
Immediately after the Cabinet meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Choo held a joint briefing with related ministries at the Government Seoul Office, stating, "At a time when we need to unite to overcome the economic crisis, the Cargo Solidarity Union is holding logistics hostage and shaking the industrial base by halting logistics to enforce their unjustified demands, jeopardizing people's livelihoods and the national economy," and criticized, "In particular, criminal acts such as blocking the entry and exit of transportation vehicles that do not participate and attacking drivers who do not join the transportation refusal are also occurring."
Deputy Prime Minister Choo revealed that due to the transportation refusal that began on the 24th, cement shipments have plummeted by more than 90%, and ready-mix concrete work has been halted at 50% of construction sites.
Opposition parties have criticized the government's response as an 'overreaction.' However, Deputy Prime Minister Choo firmly stated, "If we do not strictly respond to illegal collective actions according to law and principles and neglect the difficulties of people's livelihoods, logistics, and industry, overcoming the economic crisis will be impossible, and there will be no future for the Republic of Korea."
Deputy Prime Minister Choo reiterated, "We will also firmly respond to other illegal acts by the Cargo Solidarity Union according to law and principles," emphasizing, "We will take strict measures without any tolerance against illegal transportation refusal and obstruction acts." He appealed, "Considering the grave situation where the entire nation must unite to overcome the economic crisis, we urge the Cargo Solidarity Union to immediately withdraw the collective transportation refusal and return to the field."
At the joint government briefing that day, Deputy Prime Minister Choo was accompanied by Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Lee Chang-yang, Minister of Employment and Labor Lee Jeong-sik, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Cho Seung-hwan, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Bang Moon-gyu, and Commissioner of the National Police Agency Yoon Hee-geun.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
