-Directly presiding over the State Council meeting... "Will firmly establish labor-management rule of law during the term"
-Issued work commencement order for transport refusers in the cement sector considering construction sector damages
-Determined to break the vicious cycle of illegal strikes... "Will uphold law and principles properly"
[Asia Economy Reporter Bae Kyunghwan] On the 29th, President Yoon Suk-yeol approved a work commencement order against those refusing freight transportation. This comes six days after the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (KPTU) began their strike. President Yoon stated, "During my term, I will firmly establish labor-management rule of law and will never compromise with illegality." This is the first time a work commencement order has been issued since the related law was enacted in 2004, marking 18 years.
On the morning of the same day, President Yoon presided over a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul, where he deliberated and approved the 'Work Commencement Order for Those Refusing Freight Transportation.' The order will initially apply to the Bulk Cement Trailer (BCT, ready-mix concrete transport vehicles) sector. This decision was made based on the assessment that the construction sites have suffered the greatest damage due to the strike. Following the approval of the work commencement order, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport must deliver the order verbally or in writing to specific business operators or individual corporations identified through on-site investigations. The effectiveness of the work commencement order will take effect through this procedure.
During the Cabinet meeting, President Yoon said, "The Cargo Solidarity has entered an indefinite collective transportation refusal. Logistics such as cement and steel have been halted, causing construction and production sites nationwide to stop, putting our industrial foundation at risk of devastation." He criticized, "Using the lives of the people and the national economy as hostages to pursue their own interests has no justification or legitimacy." President Yoon emphasized, "The government is compelled to issue a work commencement order against those refusing transportation in the cement sector today to prevent a more severe crisis that could befall our people's livelihoods and the national economy," adding, "We will strictly hold those responsible for illegal acts accountable to the end."
President Yoon's insistence on enforcing the work commencement order, even mentioning his "term," reflects his determination to break the vicious cycle of illegal strikes. On the same day, he stated, "We will strictly hold those responsible for illegal acts accountable to the end," and added, "We aim to establish law and principles correctly and break the vicious cycle of illegal strikes to prevent burdens on the public. Although the public will experience considerable inconvenience and hardship, I earnestly ask for your understanding and endurance."
This also reflects the repetition of the situation during the Cargo Solidarity's general strike in June. At that time, the government responded with strong measures such as work commencement orders and revocation of transport licenses but eventually made significant concessions. However, the government's concessions led to the Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering strike, and the Cargo Solidarity repeated the vicious cycle with a re-strike. A presidential office official stated, "Since the general strike ultimately caused harm to the public, the government judged from the perspective of public safety and convenience," adding, "The government's judgment based on law and principles will be applied without exception going forward."
However, the presidential office clarified, "The approval today does not close the door to dialogue, so we will continue to monitor the negotiation process." President Yoon also urged the Cargo Solidarity, "Please return to your respective positions before it gets any later." He also sent a message regarding solidarity strikes involving subway and railway workers. President Yoon said, "The railway and subway unions under the KPTU have higher incomes and better working conditions compared to the truly vulnerable majority of wage workers in industrial sites," and stated, "The KPTU's strikes lack legitimacy and will be dealt with firmly according to law and principles."
On the previous day, President Yoon also said at the Senior Secretary Meeting, "We must firmly establish labor-management rule of law. Whether illegal acts come from the labor side or the company side, it is important to firmly establish law and principles," adding, "Our government's consistent stance on labor issues is to break the dual structure of the labor market and equalize working conditions. Nothing can be gained through illegality," effectively signaling the government's intention to approve the work commencement order.
Meanwhile, the government and the Cargo Solidarity held their first negotiation at 2 p.m. the previous day at the Government Complex Sejong but parted ways after 1 hour and 50 minutes without narrowing differences. Attending from the government side were Eo Myung-so, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and Koo Heon-sang, Director of Logistics Policy at the Ministry, while Kim Tae-young, Senior Vice Chairman of the Cargo Solidarity, represented the union. Vice Minister Eo stated, "Regarding containers and bulk cement trailers, we conveyed the position to extend the safe freight fare system for three years, but it is difficult to accept expanding it to other items," and added, "Given the difficult economy and visible damages, we requested a prompt return to work." On the other hand, the Cargo Solidarity explained, "We said we would take a progressive stance on each demand to reach an agreement, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport only responded that 'there is nothing the Ministry can answer.'" The Cargo Solidarity reportedly demanded the withdrawal of the work commencement order, abolition of the sunset clause on the safe freight fare system, and expansion of covered items. The government and Cargo Solidarity will meet again at the Sejong Government Complex on the 30th to continue negotiations.
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