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9 May, 2001Protest will continue until government adopts positive attitude and policies towards labour and the people.
KOREA, REP: The president of the Korean umbrella trade union organisation, FKTU, to which the Federation of Korean Metalworkers Trade Unions is affiliated, has been on a hunger strike since April 29. Lee Nam-soon is protesting the government's attempts to suppress the trade union movement and its continued policy of unilateral restructuring.
Although physically quite weak after 12 days of taking in nothing but water, Lee has declared he will continue his hunger strike "until the government turns its attitude and policies favourably to labour and the people."
Among demands being made by the FKTU and its members are:
- trade union involvement in finding ways to overcome the economic downturn and public antagonism,
- trade union participation in corporate and state management in order to improve dialogue and prevent unfair labour practices,
- revision of government policies on restructuring,
- punishment of police officers who used violence to break the strike at Daewoo Motors and the release of workers imprisoned for legitimate trade union activities,
- enactment of legislation regarding anti-corruption, maternity protection and the 40-hour 5-day workweek this year,
- expansion of the social safety net for the unemployed,
- immediate repeal of the National Security Law.
NOTE: The IMF has just been informed that Lee Nam-soon has been hospitalised in critical condition.
Although physically quite weak after 12 days of taking in nothing but water, Lee has declared he will continue his hunger strike "until the government turns its attitude and policies favourably to labour and the people."
Among demands being made by the FKTU and its members are:
- trade union involvement in finding ways to overcome the economic downturn and public antagonism,
- trade union participation in corporate and state management in order to improve dialogue and prevent unfair labour practices,
- revision of government policies on restructuring,
- punishment of police officers who used violence to break the strike at Daewoo Motors and the release of workers imprisoned for legitimate trade union activities,
- enactment of legislation regarding anti-corruption, maternity protection and the 40-hour 5-day workweek this year,
- expansion of the social safety net for the unemployed,
- immediate repeal of the National Security Law.
NOTE: The IMF has just been informed that Lee Nam-soon has been hospitalised in critical condition.