Gwangju and Jeonnam Construction Machinery Workers Condemn Gwangju City's Irresponsible Administration

Cut in National Funding for Honam Expressway Expansion
No News on 'The Hyundai' Groundbreaking
"General Strike to Begin on July 5"

The National Construction Workers' Union Gwangju-Jeonnam Construction Machinery Branch held a general strike declaration press conference in front of Gwangju City Hall on the afternoon of the 30th. Provided by the National Construction Workers' Union Gwangju-Jeonnam Construction Machinery Branch

Construction machinery workers in Gwangju and Jeonnam have announced a general strike starting July 5, protesting against administrative actions stemming from the complete cut of national funding for the 'East Gwangju-Gwangsan Expressway Expansion Project.'

The National Construction Workers' Union Gwangju-Jeonnam Construction Machinery Branch held a general strike declaration press conference in front of Gwangju City Hall on the afternoon of June 30, stating, "Even amid the difficult construction market, news of the 'East Gwangju-Gwangsan Expressway Expansion Project' and the 'Jeonnam-Ilshin Textile Site Development' gave local construction machinery workers a glimmer of hope." They continued, "However, there has been no progress on the 'The Hyundai' groundbreaking, and the expansion of the Honam Expressway, which was already delayed due to Gwangju City's failure to pay even the minimum share of costs, is now on the verge of collapse due to the complete cut of national funding by the Lee Jaemyung administration."

They emphasized, "The hope of local workers has turned into despair," and added, "We cannot contain our anger at Gwangju City and Mayor Kang Gijung, whose irresponsible administrative handling has led to this situation."

They also stated, "The Gwangju-Jeonnam Construction Workers' Union has visited sites and supervisory authorities to create 'construction sites without wage arrears,' but illegal multi-level subcontracting still prevails on site." They explained, "The minimum legal protection system to prevent wage arrears?such as the drafting of construction machinery lease contracts and the subscription to construction machinery rental fee payment guarantees?is not being properly supervised, resulting in the pain of malicious wage arrears being passed on to workers."

Furthermore, they added, "In order to find a way to survive amid the worst employment cliff, we will launch a general strike struggle starting July 5," and urged, "Mayor Kang must respond to the cries of construction machinery workers with a responsible attitude."