Gyeongnam KCTU Urges New Government to Adopt 'Labor-Respecting Policy Direction'

The Gyeongnam Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a general strike and all-out struggle rally on the road in front of the STX Ocean Tower in Changwon on the afternoon of the 16th.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeongnam Headquarters held a general strike and all-out struggle rally at Gyeongnam University. Photo by Se Ryeong Lee

According to the organizers, around 3,000 people gathered at the rally site to raise their voices toward the new government.

Kim Eunhyung, head of the Gyeongnam branch, criticized, "Although the new government has been launched, the anti-labor policies of the previous administration have not changed," and added, "The 2.9% increase in the minimum wage for next year, which makes us question the very purpose of the Minimum Wage Act to protect human dignity, cannot be said to fulfill the Lee Jaemyung administration's promise to respect labor and restore people's livelihoods."

Eunhyung Kim, head of the Gyeongnam branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, is delivering the opening address at the Gyeongnam rally for the general strike and all-out struggle. Photo by Seryung Lee

She continued, "We are not simply trusting and waiting for the new government to fulfill its pledges. Instead, we are engaging in a general strike and all-out struggle from the start of the new administration in order to socialize and legislate labor's demands through our struggle," and urged, "The Lee Jaemyung administration must swiftly abolish the anti-labor policies of the Yoon Sukyeol administration."

She also demanded that the government shift its policy direction to include the complete revision of Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union Act, guarantee autonomous union activities, and ensure and strengthen labor rights for all workers.