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20 July, 2005
South Korea’s unions are joining to block an anti-worker Contract Labour Bill expected to come before the National Assembly next month. The legislation, put forth by the government and business groups, was delayed in February.
Among other regressive measures, it would liberalise contract labour by extending terms of service from two to three years. Some 45% of the country’s workforce is now comprised of contract workers who, on average, receive half the salaries of full-time workers, but oftentimes work 50% more hours.
The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said on 18 March it would return to tripartite labour, management, government dialogue to prevent further liberalization on contract labour. KCTU is working with the country’s other national center— the Federation of Korean Trade Unions—to block the measure. “Our top priority is to protect irregular workers,” stated KCTU General Secretary Lee Soo-Hu.