With "Additional Work Commencement Order, the People's Command"... Opposition: "Can't You Hear the Workers' Cries?" (Comprehensive)

Government Issues Work Commencement Order for Steel and Petrochemical Sectors on the 8th
Yang Geum-hee, People Power Party Spokesperson: "A Drastic Government Measure to Protect the Economy"
Kim Hyun-jung, Democratic Party Spokesperson: "The Government and Ruling Party Resemble a 'Runaway Locomotive Without Brakes'"

On the 8th, when the government issued an additional work commencement order to the Cargo Solidarity Union, a truck was carrying a container and moving at the Uiwang IDC in Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Jinhyung Kang, Uiwang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] The People Power Party emphasized the government's additional work commencement order against the Cargo Solidarity as a "stern command from the people." The opposition criticized, "The government's and ruling party's approach of pushing the Cargo Solidarity solely through coercion and intimidation without dialogue or negotiation resembles a 'runaway locomotive without brakes.'"

Yang Geum-hee, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a morning commentary on the 8th, "Today's additional work commencement order by the government is an extraordinary measure to protect our economy amid an urgent and severe economic crisis, and it is a stern command from the people." The government issued the additional work commencement order for the steel and petrochemical sectors on the same day as industrial damage increased due to the collective transport refusal by the Cargo Solidarity of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

Spokesperson Yang explained, "Since the issuance of the work commencement order for the cement sector on the 29th of last month, the cement shipment volume, which had fallen by nearly 5-10%, has recovered to about 84% compared to the same month in previous years," adding, "The government's firm response led non-union workers, who reluctantly participated in the baseless strike, to return to work, and the effect is visible on the ground."

Yang further pointed out, "The losses in major items forming the backbone of South Korea's industry, such as steel, refining, and petrochemicals, have reached 3.5 trillion won, and these losses are rapidly increasing even at this moment," criticizing, "The Cargo Solidarity is sprinkling ashes on an already struggling industrial sector burdened by negative internal and external factors. They seem indifferent to the total destruction of the entire industry for their own benefit."

He added, "Illegal acts and collective transport refusals that hold the national economy hostage must be stopped immediately. We cannot allow the hardline leadership of the Cargo Solidarity to cut off the livelihoods of ordinary, diligent workers," emphasizing, "This is not an era where loud voices and mobs get their way. Labor movements must naturally operate within the bounds of the law, and dialogue only begins once the strike stops."

On the other hand, the opposition Democratic Party criticized the government's response regarding the issuance of the work commencement order against transport refusers in the steel and petrochemical industries on the 8th.

Kim Hyun-jung, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a briefing, "The Yoon Seok-yeol government issued a work commencement order against transport refusers in the steel and petrochemical sectors, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated, 'The government will not compromise with illegality and will strictly hold those responsible accountable,'" adding, "Looking at the government's stance of unconditionally labeling the strike as illegal, it is unclear whether they intend to resolve the Cargo Solidarity strike situation amicably or to completely erase labor unions."

Spokesperson Kim repeatedly asked, "Do workers mean nothing more than criminals to be punished for the government and ruling party?" and "Do they not hear the desperate cries of workers who want a safe cargo transport environment?" She continued, "The essence of politics lies in dialogue and compromise," and criticized, "Just because the president is a former prosecutor general does not justify a hardline approach focused solely on investigation and punishment. If the government intends to intimidate and suppress all citizens who do not comply, that is oppressive politics."

Kim also stated, "The Democratic Party has proposed a mediation plan today to accept the government's and ruling party's 'three-year extension of the sunset clause for the safe freight rate system,'" urging, "In the face of the looming economic crisis, we must open spaces for dialogue and negotiation and heal conflicts. We hope the government and ruling party recall the previous agreement with the Cargo Solidarity and demonstrate bold politics by accepting the Democratic Party's mediation plan for an amicable resolution."

Defector Lee, spokesperson for the Justice Party, also criticized, saying, "If the workers supporting our country's economy are driving 16 hours a day, overworked, and fearful of frequent fatal accidents, the government has the responsibility to actively listen to the workers' demands for the sake of the Korean economy," adding, "Issuing a second work commencement order is not a way to prevent an economic crisis but a self-defeating move that will lead to catastrophe and further endanger the economy."