Presidential Office Urges Cargo Solidarity to "Return to Work for the Struggling Weak and Common People"

Presidential Office: "If Economic Disruptions Prolong, Government Measures Including Additional Work Commencement Orders Will Be Taken"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 6th, the Presidential Office urged the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Public Service and Transport Workers' Union (Cargo Solidarity) to "return to work for the sake of the vulnerable and ordinary people who are struggling under difficult conditions even now."

Kim Eun-hye, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Presidential Office, said at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon, "The loss by industry has been estimated at 3.5 trillion won, and President Yoon asked for thorough preparation to minimize damage to the public."

President Yoon received a report on the Cargo Solidarity's collective transport refusal situation at the chief secretaries' meeting he presided over in the morning. Kim said, "The government is conducting daily inspections in the oil refining and steel sectors. In oil refining, the number of gas stations out of fuel decreased from 98 to 81, showing some signs of slowing down, but it is not yet a stage to be relieved."

After the briefing, a senior official of the Presidential Office drew a line when a reporter asked, "There was no additional issuance of the work commencement order at today's Cabinet meeting. If the oil refining and steel sectors continue like this, will it not be issued?" saying, "Just because the agenda was not submitted today does not mean it has ended."

He continued, "If the worsening situation that could harm the national economy continues, or if such disruptions to the national economy are judged to persist for a long time, preparations related to government measures including the work commencement order are underway," and added, "We will monitor the situation further."

When a reporter asked, "Separate from the Cargo Solidarity strike, improving the difficult conditions of cargo workers seems necessary. What alternatives is the government considering?" the official said, "The principle the government stated is that it does not compromise on illegality," and added, "It guarantees the rights to strike actions aimed at improving workers' labor conditions."

However, he explained, "Regarding whether both safety and freight rates can be guaranteed, like with the Safe Freight Rate System, the government is in dialogue, and hopes to discuss this together at the negotiation table after the return to work. Government ministries are also continuously delivering messages on this."