Civil Servants' Union Federation Volunteers for Flood Recovery in Sancheong County
Joint Struggle Committee, Including National Public Officials Labor Union, Holds Street Rally in Yongsan
While one civil servants' union is providing on-site support for flood recovery efforts, another civil servants' union is drawing attention by engaging in rallies and collective actions under the banner of fighting for the right to livelihood, highlighting a stark contrast.
The activities pursued by different civil servants' unions in their respective directions are being seen as a contrasting reflection of the diverse realities within the public sector.
Members of the Public Officials Union are conducting flood recovery work on the 5th in Seokdae Village, Danseong-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam. Public Officials Union website.
On August 5, approximately 50 executives and members of the Korean Federation of Public Officials' Trade Unions (Civil Servants' Union Federation) visited Seokdae Village in Danseong-myeon, Sancheong County, Gyeongnam, to participate in flood recovery work. The Civil Servants' Union Federation worked in coordination with local residents to help remove sediment and clean up contamination in residential areas and alleyways within the village.
This area suffered ground collapse, river flooding, and farmland inundation due to concentrated heavy rainfall averaging 632mm over five days in mid-July. According to Sancheong County's tally, there were 13 casualties, more than 2,000 cases of property damage, and total damages amounting to 445.6 billion won.
Kim Hyunjin, head of the Civil Servants' Union Federation, stated, "It is the natural duty of the public sector to share in the suffering of the people during disasters and to actively participate in recovery efforts," adding, "Our federation places importance not only on protecting the rights and interests of our members but also on fulfilling our social responsibilities." The Civil Servants' Union Federation announced plans to continue site-centered labor activities in response to disaster sites and community recovery projects going forward.
In contrast, at 2 p.m. on August 6, in front of the Samgakji Police Box on Hangang-daero, Seoul, near the Presidential Office, civil servants' and teachers' unions will hold a large-scale rally. The main demand of this rally, organized by the Joint Struggle Committee for the Right to Livelihood of Civil Servants and Teachers?comprising six unions, including the National Public Officials Labor Union, teachers' unions, and the Police Workplace Council?is an increase in civil servants' wages and allowances.
They point out that civil servant wages currently stand at only 75.6% of the level in the private sector, and that the issue of low pay is particularly severe for junior and lower-ranking public officials. At the rally, they plan to call on the government to responsibly implement the decisions of the Civil Servants' Remuneration Committee and to relay the voices from the field, who are struggling to make ends meet due to stagnant wages combined with rising prices.
At the end of the rally, there will be a symbolic act of tearing banners bearing phrases such as "Endless Malicious Complaints," "High Prices, Low Wages," and "Forced Unlimited Sacrifice."
The Korean Government Employees' Union Federation held the first sit-in protest to demand a wage increase for government employees near the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 29th of last month. Korean Government Employees' Union Federation website.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
