Agreement reached, Ssangyong Motor sit-in strikers jailed

KOREA:  A tentative agreement was reached this morning between the KMWU and Ssangyong Motor after weeks of intense and often times brutal struggle by 700 autoworkers holding a sit-in strike within the plant.

According to the Korean Metal Workers' Union, an affiliate of the International Metalworkers' Federation, currently some 50 workers who participated in the strike have been taken by the police to area jails and the KMWU speculates that by the end of the day the number of strikers imprisoned will reach 100. Medical care at the police jails are limited at best, many of those imprisoned need thorough hospital care immediately.

Outside the plant, tensions remain high where a number of company-hired security forces are waiting for sit-in strikers to walk out. Police have been inside the plant conducting investigations which includes the questioning of each striker and in many cases, transporting workers to jail.

Workers have not seen their families since going on strike on May 21.

The tentative settlement announced today includes the company agreeing to a "48% : 52% ratio" with 48% of restructured people maintaining employment with Ssangyong Motor and 52% having to accept dismissal (early retirement). However, other important issues remain outstanding including the persecution of those involved in the strike and how the '100%' of which the ratio is applied is decided. Negotiations are continuing.

The IMF is urging affiliates to voice their concerns at Korean embassies around the world and call on the Korean government to:

• immediately release all imprisoned union leaders and Ssangyong workers;
• drop all charges (criminal and civil) against individuals and organisations involved in the strike;
• take a role in ensuring good faith, genuine negotiations towards guaranteeing the KMWU Ssangyong Motor members employment security.