Gwangju and Jeonnam Construction Workers Go on General Strike Until Wage Cuts Are Withdrawn

Gwangju-Jeonnam Construction Branch Holds Kickoff Rally
Construction Temporarily Halted at 10 Local Sites

Construction site workers in Gwangju and Jeonnam have launched a general strike, demanding the withdrawal of wage cuts.

The Gwangju-Jeonnam Construction Branch of the Korean Construction Workers' Union held a kickoff rally at 1 p.m. on the 21st in front of Gwangju City Hall, with the union estimating that around 2,000 people, including members from other regions, participated.

They stated, "At 10 local apartment construction sites and other locations, some main contractors unilaterally reduced the daily wage from the previous 245,000 won to 220,000 won," and added, "Even as the construction industry continues to face a downturn due to rising material costs and economic stagnation, unqualified foreign workers are being illegally hired to cut labor costs, threatening the livelihood of union members."

The union explained that despite several rounds of labor-management-government negotiations since January, the vicious cycle of delayed and unpaid wages has continued.

Simultaneously with the kickoff rally, around 700 union members from the Gwangju-Jeonnam Construction Branch are participating in the general strike. There are 10 construction sites in the region where union members have vacated their posts for the strike, and construction at these sites has been temporarily halted starting today.

A union representative stated, "Collective agreements are still not being properly observed at construction sites," and urged, "We must restore the employment structure that has been disrupted by foreign workers and resolve the urgent livelihood issues of our union members."

The union plans to end the strike if their demands are met following negotiations with one of the main contractors later today.