Cement Industry Reports Cumulative Loss of 95.6 Billion KRW, "Urgent Request for Prompt Transport Resumption"

A cement transport vehicle standing still.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The cement industry has recorded a cumulative loss of 95.6 billion KRW due to the general strike by the Cargo Solidarity of the Public Transport Workers' Union under the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (hereinafter Cargo Solidarity).

According to the Korea Cement Association on the 30th, the cement industry managed to ship only about 45,500 tons out of approximately 180,000 tons scheduled for shipment that day due to the collective transport refusal by Cargo Solidarity. This represents about 25.3% of the scheduled shipment volume, with approximately 135,000 tons not shipped. As a result, the industry suffered damages of about 13.5 billion KRW on that day, bringing the cumulative loss to 95.6 billion KRW.

Although it was the first day after the government’s strict enforcement of the work commencement order, union members who still refused to transport have not returned. However, thanks to the cement industry's active encouragement of shipments and increased participation by non-union members, the shipment volume more than doubled compared to the previous day (21,000 tons). Nevertheless, since this is still a small amount compared to usual shipment volumes, a prompt return to transport by Bulk Cement Trailer (BCT) drivers was requested.

A representative of the Cement Association said, "It is expected that by tomorrow, the sales loss will exceed the amount lost during the transport refusal in June," adding, "We earnestly request BCT drivers to stop the futile and damaging illegal transport refusal and promptly return to the front lines to help with cement shipments."