Government Pressures Cargo Solidarity Strike Withdrawal... "Reconsidering 3-Year Extension of Safe Freight Rate System"

Cargo Solidarity Refuses 3-Year Extension and Begins Collective Transport
Safety Freight Rate System Needs Reconsideration

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport stated regarding the vote on whether the Cargo Solidarity will withdraw its collective transport refusal, "We expect a wise decision from the members of the Cargo Solidarity in today's vote."

The Ministry commented on the Cargo Solidarity's vote scheduled for the 9th to decide on withdrawing the collective transport refusal, saying, "It is regrettable that serious damage to the national economy and public inconvenience lasted for 16 days, and only after two work commencement orders were issued did discussions about returning to the field begin belatedly."

The Ministry also stated that the Cargo Solidarity's demand for a three-year extension of the Safe Freight Rate system requires reconsideration. The Ministry said, "The 'three-year extension of the Safe Freight Rate system' demanded by the Cargo Solidarity was proposed by the government and ruling party on November 22 to prevent national damage caused by the collective transport refusal. Since the Cargo Solidarity rejected this and initiated the collective transport refusal on November 24, causing enormous national damage, reconsideration is necessary."

This aligns with Minister Won Hee-ryong of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s position expressed on his Facebook, stating that the three-year extension of the Safe Freight Rate system is invalid due to the Cargo Solidarity's collective transport refusal.

The Ministry further emphasized, "The Cargo Solidarity must take responsibility for the damage caused to the national economy and for depriving workers who want to work of their jobs during the 16 days of transport refusal."

The Ministry reiterated its stance that expanding the Safe Freight Rate system items is unacceptable. It stated, "The Cargo Solidarity is demanding discussions on expanding the Safe Freight Rate system items, but the government and ruling party's consistent position is that item expansion is not possible."

It also stated, "The government's position of 'return first, then dialogue' is firm, and there can be no conditions attached to this."